NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 07736276 6
THE NEW
FAMILY RECEIPT-BOOK,
CONTAINING EIGIJT HUNDRED
TRULY VALUABLE RECEIPTS
In various Branches of
DOA1EST1C EOONO3O,
Selected from
THE WORKS OF BRITISH AND FOREIGN VvRITLR-
OF UNQUESTIONABLE EXPERIENCE AND AUTHORITY,
And from
SJJTE ATTESTED COMMUNICATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC FRIENDS-
" What loolrest thoa f
GOOD LESSONS FOR THEE, AND THY WIFE ?
Then keep them in memorj^ fast.
To help as a comfort to Lite."
A NEW EDITION, CORRECTED,
NEW-HAVEN:
BY HOWE &i SPALDING. AND SAMUEL WADS
WORTH;
2819,
L
A. //. Maltby &f Co. Printers.
o.
THE Collection of Domestic Receipts
now presented to the public could not have
been formed in any age but the present.
The wisdom of this age has been to bring
science from her heights down to the practi-
cal knowledge of e very-day concerns ; and
the number of its inventions and discoveries
have kept pace with the increasing wants of
man. Of the past we preserve what expe-
rience has sanctioned, and what improve-
nient has rendered more perfect ; but we can
add much more from our own stores. Sci-
entific men, in the present day, who choose
to be useful as well as celebrated, have stu-
diously noticed facts, and formed discove-
ries which can only be appreciated in the do-
mestic circle ; they have written such Re-
ceipts with the zeal which is felt by a good
housewife an honest farmer an ingenious
Table o t\\fc Contents
OF THIS
VOLUME.
CHAPTER I. AGRICULTURE.
Page,.
SECT. I. Management, Sfc. of the Soil, 37
Method of employing fallow grounds to advantage, ib.
Advantage of planting waste-lands with alikr, 38
To prevent much mischief Lo sea embankments, or
those of rivers, S3
SECT. II. Far in- Offices, ib.
Economy in thatching, ?"&
CL.HOUS mode of making earthen barn-floors, 40
To make durable barn-floors, 41
Virtues of pop! ".r wood for flooring granaries, 4~
i
SECT. III. Water, ib.
Easy method of obtaining water in almost any situation, ib.
To keep ponds and artificial, pieces of water free from
Breeds, ib.
Method of draining ponds in level grounds, 43
SECT. IV.. Fences, ib m
To make a quickset hedge or fence, ib.
To train evergreen and other hedges, 44
SECT. V. Teams, 45
Great advantage of ploughing with oxen instead of
horses, ib.
Useful hints relative to carters and teams of oxen, 46
vyr. N-. :
SKTT. VI. Manures. "4 7
>l..ir.ire for clover, ib,
iily of pidgeon's dung as a manure, ih.
Composts fur dunghill?, ib.
Kxp riment in manuring land, 4C!
J)r. Taylor's method of ascertaining the qualities of marl
Ue. for agricultural purposes, 53
SECT. VI I. Cull are, fyo. of Crops. 5 1
Iv.'.sy method of diso>\ ei-ing whether sends are ripe, ih.
To preserve seeds, when sown, from vermin, H .
Striped !:i^ recommended H-rhay, ib..
"\Vhcii ;.> c . i-yf-^r;i.-s for hay,
To pivvmt ir ,V(..m faking fire, ib.
Met.l.MH!.- :]:!". rjtii^; -mut in wheat, 5:3
Steep-, for \v heat. !):;i Icy. ice. ib.
Approved methoda-ofa >\vin;; wliuatto advantage, . 54
'!fM)\vir:^ l)iie:.-\\ heat, 55
T.) k*- p crov corn, ib.
iVo, ' iilmv d' inrnips, 50
r raising potatoes t<j advantage, r'/.
Preparation for e;,rr..is and other winged ... eds, /
SE'JT. VIII. Preservation of Com ami ' i.-'l-ibles. ib.
Import.'int di-n\ :-ry relal'n c t> the preservation of corn, iff
T,-i p,-<-siTve cor;, in 8ti '-. -. 53
To preserve oafs from heing minty, 59
To de-troy mites i , \\ee\ih in granaries, //;
T- preserv.- carrots, parsnijis and l>eet?, all tlie winirr, ih.
To piv.-erve turnips from froM, 60
T. IX. Prjtcdion of growing Crops f /;,.>.
Nation of I' main, ">l
Onod effects of* Ider in preserving plants from flies and
: -i-: ib.
l T se. of suit li.ir i:i destroy ing insects on plants, and its
l>e;:< :*t t T ve^eLit 'u>n, ib.
T'< st'v(> ;!>v. ravages of cateipi!! t: - s <-.i shfubsand veg-
i tables, C2
To prevent t;ie increase, of pismires in grass-lands, nov-
(y i;: : d de.wn, ^->
t/i.,;::ir to dt^tioy caterpillar? and otlu . insc^ ib.
To "destroy ants," ib.
To prevent the fly in turnips, 63
To prevent the destruction .of field-turnips by slugs, t&.
For preventing flies from destroying the seedling leaves
of turnips, ike. C4
To prevent mice from destroying early sew n peas, . /o.
SECT. X. Weeds.
Usefulness of mowing, 65
CHAPTER 11.J1.VGLLVGF1SKLVG.
To preserve fishing rocLs ih.
To make quill-floats for fishing, 66
Improved cork floats for fishing, G7
Easy method of dying fishing lines, ib.
To prevent fishing lines from rotting,, ib.
To prevent taking cold while angling, ib.
To improve the sport of angling, by attention to tho
dress, 68
Rules for fly-fishing, ib.
To intoxicate and take fish, 69
CHAPTER III. USEFUL ARTS. 70
Beneficial purposes to which the juice of aloes may be
applied, ib.
To bronze plaster figures, ib.
To blue mourning buckles, swords, ccc. 71
Composition to take off casts of medals, ib.
Method of sweeping chimnies, without employing chil-
dren, ib.
To clean feathers from animal oil, 72
To preserve the natural colour in petals of dried flowers, 73
Art of gilding iron or steel, ib.
Method of dry gilding, 74
Composition for gilding brass or siivcr, -ib,
To make shell-gold, ik.
To clean gold, and. restore its lustre, ib.
To silver glass globes, 7
To cut gla'% ib.
Substitute for hemp, and flax, ib.
To braze or solder pieces of iron, 76
Various methods of preserving iron and steel from rust, ib.
To soften ivory and bones, 77
Useful hints to lamplighters^ 1&
'
CONTEXTS.
. improved method of taking off impression a- of leave;:,,-
plants, cie. 70
To obtain the true shape and fibres of a le.tf, 79
To whiten linseed oil, il>-
To detect aduit* rations in lavender and dl essential oils, ?';.
To deteimine. the exact lime of noon, and to obtain a
meridian line on a small scale, CQ
(uTinan method of making; elm and maple wood resem-
ble. mahogany, Cl
Substi!;tte for malio:\ny,
'i'"i clarify and. harden (jiiill?, AS
:)utch mctiiod of preparing quilto for writing, '-i>-
Sub.stitutft for curriers oil, ib.
To repair roads near coal-mines, 8i
Substitute f<M- soap, ib.
To extract starch from horse-chesnuta, 8
To dissolvr wax in water, ib.
To make wafers, ^7
CHAPTER IV.3IRD CATCHLVG.
To n)nki- and nse the best sort of bird-lime, ib.
Experienced method of catching larks, 89
CHAPTER Y.BLE. ! WHLYG. 00
Method of blenching straw, Hi-
I'l:J'- .ry of horae-chesnutsin bltraching, *.
To blf^e'n bct.-s'-wax, 94
CHAPTER VI. BOOKS. OC
To extiac.t grease from the leaves of books, /'
Aletlu/d of cleaning dirty prints or books, it>.
To make book-binders pa^ ^0
To marble !<,(, ks or j.,i ( ib.
CHATTER Vll.nRK.ri.VG .LVD M.-LV.lGfiME.VT
OFMJLT LIQUORS. 1
Precautions and rules tcbe ob.-erved in malting. '/'
To extract tliti virtue of hops in brewing, ( J)
Dhtri}> :;.j(i -aty method of brcwtng,
Excellent and wholesome tab'<- 'lo-^ 97
Use of ground ivy in aV. A.
Tt> diakft gjuger-beei^
-,
-Page,
To make yeast, or bann, &S
Substitute fur yeast, ib.
Turkish manner of making yeaal, 90
Easy method of preserving yeast, ib.
To make artificial yeast, 7*6.
"Usefulness of the hazel-nut m brewing; 1 06
To extract the essence of malt for brewing !//,
To prevent beer from growing Hat, 16..
To recover sour or stale beer, ib.
CHAPTER Vlll.BUILDLVG. '&.
Artificial stone floors and coverings for houses, ib,
To cure damp Walls, 103
To increase the durability of tiles, ib*
Economical method of using tiles, 105
To improve chimnry Are-places, and alignment the hea, ib,
To cure, smoky chimnies, ib,
To preserve wood from catching fire, and also from
decay, IOC
Composition for preserving weather bearding, pal-
ing, &e. 107
To prevent disagreeable smells from house-drains, 103
Improved ventilators for rooms, ib.
To preserve churches from dilapidation-) 109
To make red coral brunches for embellishing grot-
tos, etc. ib.
CHAPTER IX.. CANARY BIRDS.
Breeding and management of canary birds, 110
CHAPTER X.--CATTLE, 114
SECT. I. Food for Cuiile ib.
Everlasting pea, a valuable crop for cattle, ib.
Scotch kale, excellent food for cattle, ib.
Virtues of hay-tea for cattle, 115
Profitable way of fattening pigs, 116
SECT. II. Best method of feeding alia manag-
ing Cotes* ib.
Ou the great increase of miik, by feeding cows with
santfoin, ib.
Parsnips productive of mi5k in cow?, 1 1 7
Most proper food for milch cows; '
V
Additional ^ua.ituy o;' milk to be gained by k_ r . 4 , b
milch cows in the house, 117
To prevent cows from conlracing bad habits while milk-
ii! c? tb.
SE<.T. III. Management, qf Cob 118
To roar calves without milk, ib.
] lay-tea for calve.-, 1 1-1
Method of rearing calves, Sec. i"i>.
To prevent sickue.ss in cu!\ Igfl
S E C T . I V . He, r.v .9 . //,
Carrots, n-;'i'i'! as food for \n>r*< -. ib
JJenefit of furze, as \\ ister Ibod for hor^-- 11
;;< T. V. >'.'.
To marl-: sl;vjf|, u ilium! i;:jury to ihe wool, -,//
\c ?fie wool ofsheep 1>\ .-. uu-aring, t'6.
SECT. VI.- / '.?o/' Cattle and .'-. -ib-
"T( j>r< serve r;-.tt!" tVor.i dls< -. i;i the winter, TV
To prevent the rot in -liven. l-j,-i
l';ii>! \. .1 [ireven'ive <-f the ( ,v^ in bhoc;', 'in
Cure of the rot in si .
CIIAPTKU M, -( /;.^;;.\'7> u,
Admirable cement, orimmar. u- o .M: th<- C't5wolil-
1 1 ills, ,'(,.
r-eful property of common glue, I JO
To make ^i/e frmn pulatf..^. ./^.
TII nnlv'- j'JsUct pa ' [I.
I'. \cellcnl glue, ib,
Tare hiiK-n! ulue,
Lip' ghitt for joining paper, silk, k . //,.
Common-cement for joining alabaster j warble, Sec. i J7
Stnii:^: ceuiont, '//,.
Fire-In'e, jjj;
< old-liit< - //>.
l.Ymvnt fir iron flues, Ib.
- f<!'. repairing copprr-hoih rv, 1^9
"To rector: i r0 n fun:;ices, .u-fi.lnifaliy cracUcil. Ib.
<'ement to p-si.-t {!); action of lin.- -IK! \\ ',(.T. Ib.
-- to rf^' :f ino'i-tncc..
'CON-TENT'S. XUI
Page.
.Japanese cement, or rice-glue, 130
Turkey cement for joining metals, glass, &c. 131
Cement for broken china. ib.,
To stop cracks in glass vessels, 133
( Y-rnent for preserving wood and brick, ib.
for wood or paper, 131
CHAPTER XII CLOTHES. ib.
ileceipts for Hacking, ilt. 13.3
Easy method of cleaning boots and shoes in winter, so as
to prevent soiling the person, house, S^e.
'Chemical liquid for boot-tops. 1.07
To clean boot-tops, or any tanned leather, ib.
To prevent shoes from taking water, 13
To restore the lustre of tarnished gold or silver lace, i->
To clean gilt buckles or toys, I.-'.: 1
"Black varnish for old straw or chip hats, ib.
To prevent gentlemen's hats from being spotted after
rain, ib-
Preventives against the ravages of the moth, 1 40
To purify wool infested with insects, 141
Chinese method of rendering cloth water-proof, //;.
New method of cleaning silks, cottons, and woollens, ib.
To slvp Ik" rapidity of fames, when the female dress has
accidentally taken fire, 1 H
To prevent clothes from catching fire, 1 43
Permanent inks for marking linen, ib.
To perfume linen, 115
To raise the pile of. velvet, when pressed down, ib.
To prevent danger from wet clothes, ib.
Useful hints relative to bedclothes, mattresses, cc. ib.
To clean si!k stockings, 116
Composition for restoring scorched linen, ib.
Danger of putting spirits into boots or shoes, to prevent
the effects of cold. 117
CHAPTER XIII. CURIOSITIES. 1 18
Sir Asht.va Lovar's method of preserving animals, ib.
Birds shot in this kingdom, 1 19
Rules for collecting curiosities on sea voyages, ib,
B
.vl\, COMEM3.
P.
CHAPTER XIV. DAIRY. l lu
Proper temperature fur a dairy, /,',,
Rules for milking cows, 100
To make excellent butter from the milk of cows fed on
turnips,
improved method of making; butter, ib.
Dr. Anderson's method of keeping milk and butter, 151
CHAPTER XV.DISTILLLVG. 112
A cheap refrigerator or condenser, ib.
To try the. purity of spirits, ib.
To cure spirituous liquors of a bad flavour, 7^.
To improve the smell and t;<ste nf spirits, 153
. neditious method of distilling simple A\a(ers, .ib.
CHAPTER XVI. DOMESTIC ECON-
OMY. 155
To purify infectious air in a room, ib.
Portuguese manner of preserving lish and meat, ib.
Various methods of preserving animal foud sweet, K;',
15G, 157
i -fful properties of charcoal,
To preserve \\ater and meat from jnitvefaction on lung
voyages, 157
To detect dampness in beds. i. ,
flints on warming bed*, ?"/,.
l>rrl-iea, ib.
improved management of boo?. 158, 15',
<. iiinese method of mending china.
To discover vitriol in hrrr. ib.
Excellent substitute for table-beer ib.
To make good spruce beer, ib.
Substitute for yeaet, 101
To make bottles air-tight, ib.
To loosen glass stopples of smelling-bottles and decan-
ters, 1(52
Improved corks for preserving wine or chemical limiors, ib.
To judge the quality of wheaten flour, f. :
To detect adulterations in iluiii- or bread, 1CS, 1C '
To preserve biscuit from putrefaction, !b.
To preserve sea-bread from the ^re\',!. to.
To make artificial or potatoe bread, H 1 ,.-
Bread made from the water-gladiole, 16,
CONTEXTS. .\v.
Ferment for bread, used by the inhabitants of Long
Island, in the state of New-York, 180
N e \v method o f m a ki ng flour wit hout grain, . ib.
Improved method of salting butter and meat, 167
Method of curing bad tub-butter, ib.
^fethod- of tailing the rankness and disagreeable taste
from Irish salt-butter, ib.
To remove, the taste of turnips from milk or butter, 103
To make suit butter fiesh ib.
Chidaveed, ib,
To prevent children from eating their food too quickly, ICG
To prevent the formation of crust upon the inside of tea-
kettles, 169
To make chocolate from cocoa-nut? ; ib.
Coffee, ib.
The virtues of coffee, 170
Turkish or Arabian mode of preparing coffee, ib.
Cheap and valuable substitute for coilce,. 171
Excellent substitutes for coffee, ib.
Acorn coffee, ib.
For improving coffee, -ib.
To preserve eggs for a length of time, i :-j
Best method of cleaning line block-tin dish-covers, pa-
tent pewter, fee,. ib.
Cleaning floor-cloths, ib.
To clean gold and silver lace, 174
To restore the lustre of glasses tarnished by age or acci-
dent, ib.
To clean flint-glass bottles, decanters. &c. &c. ih.
To clean mahogany furniture, ib.
To clean Turkey carpets, 175
To clean marble, ib.
Another, ib.
To clean alabaster or marble,. ib.
Mixture for cleaning stone-stairs, hall-pavements, foe. ib.
The danger of children eating gilt-gingerbread, or any
article covered with such a composition, 176
Varnish for furniture, ib.
German furniture gloss, or polishing wax fur mahogany,
ccc. ib.
Method of cleaning and polishing rusty steel. 177
Easy method of cleaning paper-hangings, ib.
To preserve metals from rust, 178
i?ur. cleaning steel or iron-polished stoves, ib,
Xv.
P.
To clear iron from rust,
Ho AY to jn'.i.cv th. I'pcr'ios of nutmeg?,
T;; taki'lhe ~:^. ,!i of p; ; h:t from rooms, : '>
! of mi , -lalo.i i
. {': ( iiecse. i~ ( J
To fall ultry,
A m v, in' ultry to ad'.aptagp : <<
muuicated bj M . U'Oyley to the orirty uf \.: .
kc.
I: :!.'. 1 of f\'}M'ilitii>!!.^]y : cliickens,
.. .^ ,
''\i-dis! i iiif;!;t)(! of rai . ' '
d duc!.-
. !"
. i . . :h.- <!. n of $ tfci
'n ttir pro| ilo\vn, /'6
To j.r-, vc.it iiic KJ\. :;i-j:icc iroui j ,A;cn of the
ii;.'i if.i)
To }.urify !-!! on ju : Iff*
\ f.iiitijy to make their o\vg /i), t'A.
'Pit ' out of ii:. KG
To ill j-iirr, 't'6.
ki;iu r xiu; ;;;ir,
'.; ( ; m: kc \ ' '::se of be'.'-hives aft^r the
. ic
i vilify . 1CS
1 i!,i!-iur;-:d \i , li'.
fhcrry \ i ft.
M o innK'
! ol'r. if ; y
r i'.' \v; l r ; ic j (id ot!j'
To |i:;iif*y
l/'.;'i!y the muddy n.'t r ofri i
ithoii df nviki,-!^ j>.'' .in a riiglit's tira< . .
o :1 thf !'. , in t:e \vintjr-
Easy nif'ihod of purifying Avater, '''
Til;.' best r,)'-;',:. )-i oi'obtai ing purr soft water, for noe-
dicihal j<i!!-j (-< -, ^^ iil.i sidi.ilii!';! ^ i',
To purify rivi-r, or any other n.u My \.;i{L % r,
AYunn \\atcr,
To make sea water fit for \va-h!n^ !! ;I ."M :.{ ^en.
Proper nieihod o! i>:;dvinp; t- .;! water,
To make a v-scl for liltcrii)^; wafer, 1 ! !
The Turkish method of filtering water hy ;tsrf-usi-.n. 1 '.'..
To preserve h-tnon juice duriii^ a i(-n;; voyaj
CONTENTS
Page,
Method of preserving grapes, 196
Singular and simple manner of preserving apples from
the effects of frost, in North America, ib.
To keep oranges and lemons, 197
New method of preserving potatoes, 198
To preserve potatoes from the frost, ib.
Method of recovering frost-bitten fruits and vegetables, 199
To preserve apples, ib
Preservation of succulent plants, 199
A method of preserving fruit fresh all the year, ib,
To preserve hazel nuts in great perfection for many
months, 200
To manage ripe fruit for a desert, ib.
To preserve aromatics and other herbs, ib.
To preserve grapes till winter, 201
Walnut ketchup, ib.
To cork and preserve cyder in bottles, 02
To make excellent punch, ib.
To make a pleasant, sober, and refreshing drink for
summer, ib.
To make the German liquor, mum, ib.
To make the celebrated eastern beverage called sher-
bet, , 203
To make birch-tree wine, . ib.
Currant wine, ib.
Elder wine, 204
Grape wine, ib.
An excellent family wine, ib..
To extract syrup from Indian corn,, 205
Excellent bitter for the stomach, ib.
To detect sugar of lead in wines, ib.
A- test, for discovering in wines, metals that are injuri-
ous to the health, 206
Substitute for soap, easily prepared in small quantities
by private families in the country, 0?
To m;tke Jamaica vegetable soap, 209
To make Lady Derby's soap, ib
To make British herb tea, 210
British substitute for foreign lea r ib
Another, ib.
Another, i&*
The virtues of sage, 211
To prevent excessive thirst, in cases of emergency at sta,
in the summer time,
B2
iVUJ.. CONTENTS,
Page.
Manner of preserving eggs perfectly fresh for twelve
months, 212
Another, 213
Cream preserved in long voyages, ib.
Substitute for human milk, where, from any circum-
stances, it cannot he procured for children, ib.
To make old man's milk : a nutricious and pleasant
beverage, ib.
To make artificial asses' milk, 2.14-
To prevent disagreeable smells from privies, night-
chairs, &;c. ib.
To free molasses from their sharp taste, and to render
them fit to be used instead of sugar, ib.
To destroy bugs, -1J
Another, " 216
Economy in fuc-1, 21?
Another method, 218
Economy in tinder. ib.
Plate powder,
Usefulness of clivers, or goose-grass, 219
Important use of the leaves of the vine, ib.
Valuable properties of cherry-tree gum, ib.
Valuable properties of the helianthus annuus, or sun-
flower, ib:
Remedies against fleas, 20
Fly-water, ib.
To make n wholesome food of cashew nuts, ib.
Economy in candies, ib.
Curious small cakes of incense for perfuming apart-
ments, 221
To prevent the disagreeable smell arising from house
drains, ib.
Polished ten -urns preferable to varnished ones, ib.
Management 01 razor-straps,
Essence of soap for shaving or washing hands, ib.
Composition for shaving, without the use of razor, soap,
or water, ib.
To prevent accidents from leaving a poker in the fire, 223
Economical mode of cutting cauliflower, ib.
Substitute for rnilk or cream, 22-1
V cessary hints to those who use copper vessels for cu-
linary purposes, ib.
To prevent lamps from bring pernicious to asthmatic
persons, or others, liable to complaints of the chest,
CONTEXTS.
Pae.
To make economical nicks for lamps,
Useful properties of celandine, id,
Economical use of roots oftre.es, ib.
Application of the roots of fir-trees or pines, 223
Useful properties of red spurge, ib*
Paste or food for singing-birds, superior to the German
paste in common use, 227
CHAPTER XVII. DRAWING. ib.
To make transparent paper for drawing, ib,
To trace drawings or prints against the fight, 223
Method of using tracing paper, ib.
To copy drawings, &tc. with fixed materials, ib.
To transfer any impression with vermilion, 229
Transparent paper, ib.
Method of copying a design, . ib..
To preserve pencil and chalk drawings, ib.
Method of setting pencil drawings, 230
Wash for preserving drawings, made with a black-lead
pencil, or with hard black chalk, ib.
Easy method of taking off a perfect copy of a print or
drawing, ib.
To make a drawing desk or frame, . 231
CHAPTER XVIII. DROWJYLVG. 23S
Method of rendering assistance to persons in danger of
drowning, ib.
Method of recovering persons apparently drowned, as
recommended by the Humane Society, 238-
CH AFTER X1X.DYELVG, ib.
To make a liquid for staining bone or wood of different
colours, ib.
Art of dyeing or staining leather gloves, to resemble the
beautiful York tan, Limerick dye, fee. 334
To stain wood a iin^. black, ib,
To stain wood a beautiful red or mahogany colour, ~-a7>.
To make nankeen dye, 235
To dye cotton a iinc. 'm;i t oSour, ib.
Substitute for ajahs ir. ' ; cine;, and also in making ink, ib.
Easy method cf dyein ; yellow or green, 36
To stain wood green, _
}iX. CONTEST*.
PC 'jr.
To stain born to imitate tortoise shell, 3(5
Substitute for verdigris in dyeing blacky 3?
Another substitute for verdigris,
CHAPTER XX. PLEASLVG EXPERIMENTS. 239
To produce gas light on a small scale il'.
The phosphoric pencil, ib.
Til'.- fire-bottle, ;'''<
To make tke phosphoric match-bottle^ ib.
To make an illumioated or phosphoric bottle, which will
preserve its light for several months, 240
To take impressions on paper from designs made on
stone, ib.
A cheap and simple process for painting on- glass, sulii-
cii-nt for the purpose of making a magic lanlhorn, 241
To make transparent screens for the exhibition of tin
phantasmagoria, ib.
T1 iiunder ponder. ib.
lAPTEK XXI.F.1RR1ERY. '24C
\ lereipt for thr rhoiic it) a hor
i ). -temper in do ih.
To know whether a dog is mad or not, ib.
CPAPTEIl XXll.FIRE. 1.13
Method of extyiguishing fires in chimnies, ib.
To ext; iiv,!) 1 ho; ;:'; fro::i lire, ib.
Method (.! n ndi ri:>g all sorts of paper, linen, and cotton
less combustible,
To p/event v, .M .;. ''men, kc. from catching fire, ib.
M< :;iod to Si ib.
To nniko Avater more "us in extinguishing fires, 24;"
1 ' ' : ;Ui! ! i'.\->'^ !-;te--(!ily, ib.
Hint rr.-pi.ctin^ v. onu .1'= aod children's clothes catching
fi ', t'6.
To stop the progress of fire on board of ships, iG
CHAPTER :FiI'}:-.M.\:S(AVD THE M.l-
To brown uun-barrt-ls, 16.
To keep arms and polished metals from ri^t.
Page.
To prevent lu?midity from b, ing JMVJU Jivi^l to prnvd^r
To tvcoviT dam:^"! ;.; mi powder.
To increase the foi ; e i:i' <r;u-';;.:w<Lv,
Method of'mi reasing the efF cts ot'ginp'iyvd'T, ana a!-o
h.^ \h<i necessity oi' certain pivcaution-i in Icud-
CHAPTER XX[Y..F!ilE-7rOR.^ 1J9
To make sk'y-rocketS)
Improvement in fire-workf?,
CHAPTER XXy.
SECT. I. Manp.geinent of Green-house, ^c. i.\'
Emper situation for a green-housej or room, vj
To air plants, and vontiiate rooms wherein they are con-
tained, ib. ,
SECT. ll.SwJs, 51
Easy method of discovering whether or not seeds arc
sufficiently ripe, iv>
Qrt preserving seeds of plants in a state fit for vegeta-
tion, fv.
To facilitate the growth of foreign seed?, 253
SECT, III. .Ma?i:i Cement ofGardci Border-*. ib,
To plant and make edging-, r 1 '.
How to cut box-edgings, {/-.
A sure method of curing gravel-walks, EJ,'"
SECT. IV. Culture and Management <<f Flowers. i'>.
Proper method of faying carnations, io.
Plants watered by n.-'-ing placed in dishes, improper, 3o
\v hen to plant annual and pt-rrnnlal flo'.vers, ib,
To remove herbs and flowers in the smnaKr, 257
3Iethod of growing i-lov.'crs and fruits during winter, ib,
To preserve delicate young slioois oi' flowers from slugs .
and earwigs, ?'y.
Virtues of the sun-flower 25o
To preserve flower-seeds i&.
n.
Pi
S :,-T. V. CV.Ji'ic-c ?:i/ TK-.ttiucvl' of I : ">'
and Shrubs
To pnnont. blossom r.mi fiuit-trces from being da
by i-ariy spring frost ''-
Chii, ;-. ij-jsniv of .propagating fruit-tree*
I'MproM- iYiiu-trc.es by Mention lo the colour of the
;"'v
T ( , increase 'he ;:rcuth in tro - -'-'>
i.'/fvci.i ban -- and KiLbits from barking joung plan-
tations i : J-
]>ad effects of iron nails, S:c. oti fruit-trees, or mischie-
vous effects of iron naiis in conjunction will) branch-
es of fruiJ-trros (11
To destroy moss on trees i >
Necessity of taking off snperfluoua suckers from shrubs ?/>.
1 cure the (iisi-;^ in npplctrn - ?i.
"IC;H-(- th; c.-irkfi- in trcr^ ::_
'. of curing fruit ti .fcctc;! with an Ccistorly
^.ht ib.
. l.\;)fi-i:-i'i -<<} mrihcil of healing wounds in trees -3
hr:u'ing wounds in trees '"''-
jiiniK 1 u;;;; !' nit Hi.
To ]> MIC \ in( - ',.. : iU;uil;ia~e (' i
ii< i roper time \s ln-ii li-nvos of trees ou^ht to be
lie* t< , for pharmaceutical an<! econo:nical pur-
T
r. VI. Ci'!li;r; and Management of Garden 4,V*;w. ib.
To j.;Tip;;^a;c herbs by shjis and c.titiii!^.-. ib.
ni'jtho'l ff reiulerinu; asparagus ;iM>rt' productive,
and of^jroducing it in \i :\ month in the \<
urns, and make Cayenne pepper
:Vr\v mctlimi ,!' r lisio^ cnciunb'
1 the irrcgui;'.:- --:-c.\t!i cf MI Ions
y metl o I of producing mushrooms //-.
i l-l'Op !jf (!!!"!'*
'!'..; , ,;, a;it;ig; of sowing j)cas in circles instead of straight
lo'.VS '.'/'.
T; 1 i .il^o pra c in autumn, and to ] rever;t mice from
ing thi-'M when sown G^
M'thoij of cultivating radislies fur salad, so as lo have
them ready at r.l! seasons of the year
Pctgt. ,
To preserve strawberry plants from the heat of the sun,
fcc. 271
Directions for managing strawberries in summer ib,
To cultivate the common garden rhubarb 272
Method of cultivating and curing Turkey rhubarb from
Cultivation of Turkey rhubarb by offsets 274
Method of curing rhubarb ib.
Proper soil for the culture of of turnips UK
Preservation of succulent plants 2?5
Various useful properties of tobacco to gardeners ib.
CHAPTER XXVI. HEALTH. 27 r
SECT. I. General rules for the Preservation of Health* ib.
Avoid, as much as possible, living near church- yards ib,
Valuable concise rules for preserving health in winter ib.
Cautions in visiting sick rooms 278
Preventive of autumnal rheumatisms ib.
To promote sleep ib.
The use of tar-water in expanding the lungs of public
speakers, &c. 273
German method of preventing hysterics ik.
Hints for ventilating stage-coaches ;'
Best mode of avoiding the fatal accidents of open car-
riages 200
To fumigate foul rooms ih,
To make a truly valuable fumigation powder ib.
To make balsamic and anti-putrid vinegar 231
SECT. II. On the Eye. 2C2
General rules for the choice of spectacles, an-! for the
preservation of the sight ib.
Of preservers, and. rule for the preservation of sight 283
Comfort for those nearly blind 280
To cure a bruise in the eye 287
SECT. III. Antidotes to noxious Substances and Animals, ib,
To prevent the effects of poison of lead on painters, gia-
ziers, &cc. ib.
To prevent the baneful effVr.ts of burning charcoal 2co
To prevent the mischief arising from the bite of a mad
dog A
^ . iV. CONTT..VTS.
?<.
To prevent death from the bite of veno.nous a;,i.v
To coiioteract the bane.ful nTects of poison
Cure for the poison of the deadly \ '^ht-shade
SrCT. IV. Tili /)?";: ,T- </'"'' Ji'tf/'j.
of causing; childi vn to cut their teeth en-iiy ?'V
(\' : 1 : for the preservation of the teeth and jrunis i'l
v l\i pr:;vfat the tooth-ache
K-:- ,'. safe, and ple.'isant method of removing tartar from
the i ( 29S
TiiK'turr ibr the teeiii and g:unv ih.
Tcj.-li-powder W
Another
Sr. : ;. 'v . 7i< c ' -> various loc<t! . ///I lii,ns. -ib.
Ea?y an il aim sl taneoua curn for th" ague ih.
'. Homasscl's account of his cure for burn: <M- c.-ilds ///.
!!"
Another
i urin IM:-:IS and Braids /"-.
hi 'i'.-i-^
in- i'r>.' '<: g earwigs from the ear //y.
I earwigs or i . ;-, \\inrii may accidentally
h:--. 8 ;-,].( i.ito i /''.
i-'or a j-aiii i,i ill"
iv for .ss
l\r chilblains '//.
To prevent coins from growing on th' fcrt -' ; '
Cure for waits -i'>.
C'ouri. p!:'.:- (rr '"''
(Yrtain cure for th." ri .',ip C'.iT
Simpli 1 r.-nvdy for \'\<- :; of lani'-nes- hy contr.ictioii ib.
To maUi- cliver, or ; raa - ni'it nii-nt, !-, i ;n.ii'k;it)le for
i!> salutary ' cases of iuveirralf ^-ur\ \
1'asy Mie'hod of fiii-jnp; 1 lie. sea scMirvy ib.
Method fi.. oe.i'dy reco\";-y of the u-;. 1 of the foot or
l;a;jd tl'.ai has hwi-n violently sprained
'i'o alh-vlai. !';'; pain < . -..'-ionrd by the. stint; "'
Simple and effect ' for thpse who maj cci-
th-nlly swal!o\ved a \\iisp v/.
To cure th<- sli;: of a. %v?.: p or bee /'.
Another /''
An- 1 ;:.<! /'''.
Anoti. Sl'J
CONTEXTS,
To prevent sea sickness, '
Remedy for a sore throat, o,
A common drink for a sore throa: 502
AJargle for a sore throat, ib.
A receipt for a cough, i&.
An excellent styptic, ib,
A new and useful styptic, ib,
-Infallible remedy for stopping bleeding of the nose, - - SOS
For curing worms in the human body, ib,
To make an improved tincture of bark, 304
Observations on leeches, and their use, ib,
Singularly useful properties of garlic, 507
The usefulness of two common plants, 608
CHATTER XXVII. /A"". ib,
*To make ink, 16
To make one gallon of black writing ink, S09
Red ink, ib,
To prevent ink from moulding, 510
To make Indian ink, ib.
To make China ink, ib,
Substitute for Indian ink, ib.,
German black for printers, 31 1
Permanent writing ink, ib,
Permanent red ink for marking linen, 312
To make sympathetic or invisible ink,
To make stuchum, or perpetual ink of the ancients, for
writing on stone, 513
CHAPTER XXVIII. PALVTPALYTLVGS
OF COLOURS, 'ib.
Directions for painting rooms, rails, fee, ib.
To prepare drying oil and paint, ib.
For the second priming, 314
To make putty and finish painting, t'5.
To prepare blue colour from verdigris, ib.
Lead-coloured paint for preserving iron, ib.
Method of preparing a cheap substitute for oil paint, as
durable as that prepared with oil, land free from any
bad- smell, S15
Cheap black paints from earthy and mineral sub-
stances, ib.
To make brown paint, ib*
C
COPTTEJWS.
Composition for preserving weather-boarding. ; ^i!ug,
and all other works liable to be injured by the wea-
ther, 316
To 'prepare the beautiful colour called Naples yellow, 317
Another method, i-<
Mrs. Hooker's method of preparing and applying a
composition for painting in imitation of the ancient
Grecian manner, 318
To clean oil paintings, 32:
To take off, instantly, a copy from a print or picture, ih. f
To clean and whiten prints or engravings, .ib.
To make mezzotintos, 323
To judge of transparent colours for painting 3^4
I'n prepare ivory leaves for miniature painters, ib.
How to stencil, or multiply patterns, for working mus-
lins, Sic. ''.
To stain paper or parchment yellow, ib.
To stain paper or parchment crimson, 320
Tu stain paper or parchment green,
CHAPTER X\l\. PERFUMES COSMETICS, ib.
make an excellent smelling-bottle, //<
To make jessamine butter or pomatum. 0.
To r-i^ke milk of roses, ib
"Wash for the skin, ib-
Method of extracting essences from flowers, ib-
To make the quintessence of lavender, or other aromat-
ic herb, 3^7
Te obtain aromatic oils from the pellicle, which enve-
lopes the seeds of the laurus sassafras, and laurus ben-
zoin, ib.
To preserve aromatic and other herbs, .3
Lavender water, ib.
Another, ib.
To make rose water, 3 .
To make eau de luce, and its use, ib.
To make Hungary water,
To make otto (or odour) of roses, ib.
To make lip salve, SCO
To make the celebrated pomade divine^ 331
To make soft pmatum,
To make hard pomatum,
.Genuine Windsor soap. ib.
To prepare : aromatic vinegar,
COSTJENTS.
jSr-=-:-nce ofso^.p for shaving or washing hands, 332,
To increase the growth of hair, 330
To know whether hair-powder is adulterated with
lime, ib.
To perfume hair-powder, ib.
Preparation of the Greek-water (or the solution of sil-
ver, for the converting red or light-coloured hair into
a deep brown),
A more convenient dye for the hair,
CHAPTER XXX.-Ji.2TS. SS6
To destroy rats and other vermin,
Another method of destroying rats, ib.
To destroy rats or mice, ib.
A mouse-trap, hy which forty or fifty mice may be
caught in a night, - -ib<
New, simple, and effectual method of destroying rats, 37
Dr. Taylor's cheap and efficacious naethod ol destroy-
ing rats, ib.
To prevent the burrowing of rats in houses, 839
CHAPTER XXXI. SPOTS OR ST.UVS. 240
To make portable balls, for removing spots from clothes
in general, ib;
The fumes of brimstone useful in removing spots or
stains in linen, &cc. ib
To remove spots of grease from paper, ib.
Substitute for salt of sorrel, for removing ink spots and
iron-moulds, S41
Expeditious method of taking out stains from scarlet,
or velvet of any other colour, ib.
To take spots effectually out of silk, linen, or woollen, ^^ti,
To take the stains of grease from woollen or silk, ~*ib.
Easy and safe method of discharging grease spots from
woollen cloths, 34SJ
* *
To take out spots of ink,
To take iron-moulds out of linen, ib.
To take out spots on silk,
To take wax out of velvet of all colours, except crim-
son, ^
Process for preparing nitrous acid for extracting stains,
k.c. from tanned leather,
extract grease spots from paper, 3i3
XV1W. CONTENT?.
/v
To remove spots of grease from books and prints, ID
To take spots out of cloths, stuffs, silk, cotton, and linen, 'JM
Remedy against the effects of ink, when just spilled, 345
CHAPTER XXXII. TIMBER. S4G
To promote the growth of forest trees, ib.
White-washing the trunks of trees recommended, ib.
To cure wounds in trees, 317
Mr. Forsyth's method of curing injuries and defects in
fruit and forest trees, ib.
To preserve wood in damp Filiations, 349
Clause and prevention of the dry rot, 550
Vure for the dry rot in timber, so as to make it indes-
tructible by water, ib.
>!< thod of trying the goodness of timber for ship-build-
ing, used iu the arsenal at Vienna, ib.
To season and render ^rccn timber immediately fit for
use, ib.
CHAPTER XX'SllI. rjR.VlSHES. Sji
Observations on varnishes, ib.
Ger.e.ral observations on making varnishes of all kiml^ 355
Of varnishes with spirit of wine, 3T>6
< ,. irl< -, irit h of mastic and s;mdrirac, ib.
\ aniish for violins and rnuMcal instruments, ib
Gold-colour varnish,
General observation.*) on spirit varnishes, ?/.
Oil varnishes, 358
Copal varnish,
Another, //;.
Another, ih.
Gold-colour varnish or lacruer, -'/iy
Black japan, ?',';.
Common varnish, ib.
Varnishes with turpentine alone, H.
Common turpentine varnish, ib.
Klastic gum varnish, 3GI
Varnishes of gums, ? 7 7>
Martin's copa4 varnish, j^
\mber varnish, y02
Varnish for coloured drawings and prints, ib.
To varnish plaster casts or models, ?*'/.
Another way, JGJ
xxix;
Page*
Varnish for earthenware,
French soft varnish for engravers, ib.
Varnish for furniture, ib.
A varnish for toilet-boxes, cases, fans, &,c* to.
Preparation of the true copal varnish, 3G4
To make varnish for oil- paintings, t'6.
To make white varnish, ib.
Another, by Dr. Withering, ib.
A varnish for preserving insects, fruits; &c, 365
Method of preparing 1'mseed-oifr varnish, ib.
Varnish for pales and coarse wood-work, -
To make goid varnish, S67
Varnish for drawings, prints, Sec. Sic. S63
To make a lacquer for brass, ib
To make Chinese varnish, 369.
Varnish to prevent the rays of the sun from passing
through the glasses of windows, ib.
Seod-!ac varnish, ib.
Sheil-lac varnish, ~5.>
CHAPTER XXXIV. EFFICACIOUS REMEDIES
FOR ttZSTR YLVG VERMLV.- 370
To destroy ants, ib,
Another, ib.
To destroy beetles, ^v
Another method, ib.
For destroying bugs and worms in wood,* 371
To drive away crickets, i&-
To destroy crickets, ib*
Methods of stopping the ravages of the caterpillars from
shrubs, plants, and vegetables, ib:
Liquor for destroying caterpillars, ants, and other in-
sects,
For destroying caterpillars on gooseberry bushes, i3.
To preserve flowers, leaves, and fruits from caterpillar?, 375
Method to destroy or drive away earth- worm?, aad
other insects, hurtful to fields and gardens, 37^f
To destroy ear-wigs and wood-lice, &-
Remedies against fleas, 375
To destroy fleas on dogs, ib--
To clear gardens of vermin by ducks, ib.
The use of garlic against moles, grubs, and snali*, ib.,
The use of sulphur in destroying insects on plants, and
its benefit for vegetation, $78
SXJU '. T2KYS-
/V^'.
.Method of destroying insects on fruit-trees, 37(>
To destroy insects prejudicial to apple trees, 377
To destroy insects on fruit-trees, ^
To kill reptiles, 378
To p;-e.v, it slugs getting into fruit-trees,
To destroy snails and the red spider,
- vr rmin,
insects on wall fruit-trees,
76.
i>r>2
Usefulness of the wren in destroying inbccti, &
CHAPTER XXXV. 1MTER.
wasps and hornets,
Cvorms in grmVn^, S.c.
To make artificial- sea- water, *&
To disperse noxious vapours from wells,
CPAPTEU XXXVI. ;r/.VES. f>
To make British Champagne,
- koumiss (a Tartar wine),
-- orange win*.-,
--- excellent American wine,
CHAPTER XXXVII. Jf'RITLVO.
Secret methods of writn^, -
To write blue and red Idlers at once with the same ink
and pen, and on the same p.tper, fr.
To write different colours on th- paper wilii tl;<'
juice of violets,
To wiite in the dark, as straight as by day or candle-
light, U>.
To form letters of gold on paper, and for ornaments of
writing, W
Method ol copying letters without the use of a copying
machine,
To make durable writing on paper,
To preserve letters from beinir opened^ ih.
To take out writing,
Method of recovering the legibility of decayed wri'-
ings,
To revive old writings which ;ire almost defac< O'.).'
To gild letters on vellum or [nper, '/>
To make pounce,
Method of obtaining exact copies of inscriptio &.
Pa I '
CHAPTER XSM-VllLMTSCELL^TEOUS RE-
CEIPTS, 395
To make, excellent ink, ib-
Quicksilver, 396
To revive a dull fire, ib.
Small pox, ib-
Against the blatta or cock-roaches. SD?
Corns and warts, ?.
To destroy snails and slugs, ib.
To prevent paper from sinking?
To harden plaster of Paris or casts, ib.
To change hair to a deep brown, ib.
Pearl-white, 398
TTo detect copper in liquids, ib.
To take off" a gold rmg, sticking tight on a fmger 3 ib.
To detect the mixtui e of arsenic, ib.
To try the purity t>f spirits, ib.
To raise a salad quickly, ib.
To destroy grubs, ib.
Remedy for burns or scalds. S99
A corn plaster, ib.
To keep off flies, ib.
For preserving the nails, ib.
To take away superfluous hair, ib.
To make phosphorus, ib.
To discharge grease from leather, 400
To prevent wounds from mortifying, ib.
To discharge grease from paper, ib,
Substitute for flax, ro.
Economical use of nutmegs, 401
To ascertain the quality of nutmegs, ib.
To increase the durability of tiles, 40
To prevent brass vessels from contracting verdigris, ib.
Improved mode of preserving flowers, ib.
Vanherman's durable white paint, ib.
Useful knife-board, 403
To cure chapped or sore lips, ib,
To mark sheep without injury to the woo^ ib.
To promote the growth of hair, 40 1
To fatten Turkies as they do in Norfolk, ib,
To j udge of the weather, ib,
Substitute for grease for coach-wheels, -405
Excellent varnish for umbrellas, '&
V \
COLLECTION
OF
CHAPTER I.
SECT. I. MANAGEMENT, &c. OF THE SOIL,
] . Method of employing Fallow Grounds to advantage.
PLANTED on about half an acre of fallow, of
an indifferent quality, the soil inclining to sand,
some potatoes in straight lines, two feet asunder,
and the plants forty inches distant in the rows,
ploughing the intervals three times in the summer,
that is to say every six weeks.
The plough that was used was very light, and
without wheels, and with two horses going one be-
fore the other ; it was easy to draw two furrows,
about five inches deep, without much damaging the
roots.
My workman, at first, smiled at my attempt: the
potatoes sprouted but slowly, and did not seem to
promise any great success ; but after the first plough-
ing they got forward ; and after the other two plough-
ings were, to the full, as forward as those of my
Neighbours, which had been plentifully dunged,
D
38 ACP.ICcLilRE.
Finally, after the third ploughing, every one w
astonished to see that the stalks of my potatoes,
which had not been at all dunged, were fn >\\ and
green, when the stalks of others, which had been
dunged, were turned yellow, withered and almost
dry.
Jn a word, this piece of ground yielded me in au-
tumn half as many potatoes as the same quantity of
land would have done in the ordinary method of
planting, and these were all of a delicious flavour.
Remark. Potatoes, however, are known to be a
scourging crop : they require as much dung, or (if
it be withheld) will impoverish the ground as much
as a crop of oats. By putting straw into the fur-
rows, where the roots are dropped, or even by keep-
ing the earth loose by frequent stirring, a tolerable
crop of potatoes may often be raised, without dun ,
but more injury is done to the ground than the va-
lue of the crop of potatoes will repay.
,\ Advantages of planting Wartc Lands u-ith dldcr.
Alder thrives wonderfully in swampy groun-.
and its uses are so various as to adapt it to an al-
most endless variety of purposes. The wood of
this tree is in great esteem and demand for machine-
ry ; the cogs for mill wheels formed of it being pro-
ved, by experience, to be superior to any other. -
It is commonly used for bobbins ; and the country
people [in England] wear shoes, or. as they are ge-
nerally termed, clogs, made of it. Its excellent
quality of resisting injury from water is universally
acknowledged : hence its great value for pump-
Irces, pipes, drains, conduits to reservoirs, piles
under water, and all kinds of wood work which are
kept constantly wet. It is much to be lamented,
that the valuable properties of its bark should be
MANAGEMENT OF TEIE SOIL. '&
so little, known, that in most instances it is buried
with the tree. The black dyers of cotton stuffs
know its value, and make much use of it. They
purchase it at the rate of seven to eight-pence the
stone, laid down at their djIHiouses. It is not chop-
ped, but sold as it is stripped from the tree, after
it has become moderately dry ; so that there is no
expense in chopping and cleaning it, as is the case
with oak bark. It might be used to great advan-
tage as an excellent substitute for many woods used
in dying, which we have from abroad, and on which
we expend considerable sums.
3. To prevent much mischief to Sea Embankments,
or those of Rivers.
Where a breach is actually made therein, it may
be prevented from increasing in width, by an early
application of old sails, fastened to each side of the
breach where the water enters, which will allow
the water to slide over them, and hinder more of
the earth from being carried away.
SECT. II. FARM OFFICES.
f. Useful Hint, whereby Fanners may make, a sav-
ing in the article of Thatching.
THE barns and tenements of many farmers hold-
ing on lease, and obliged to repair, being thatched,
and sudden winds sometimes making much thatch-
ing necessary, farmers would do well to make a rick
of wheat straw, except it happens to be very short,
and then they would keep their stack two years,
and make a new one the second.
The author of this article says, that though he not
only ricks his straw, but slightly thatches his rick
40 AGRICULTURE.
to keep out the weather, he has, in ten years, gam-
ed 531. by the practice, beside what he saved by
not being obliged to thrash wheat for straw at an
improper season.
*
/>. Curious mode of making Earthen Barn Floors.
Many of the barns in the Gotswold Hills. orWoM
of Gloucestershire, have a species of earthen floor,
which is generally thought to surpass floors of stone
or any other material, except sound oak plank.
Their superior excellence is partly owing to the
materials of which they are composed, and partly
to the method of using them for this purpose. Tire
materials arc equal p^rts of a kind of ordinary gra-
vel, the calcareous earth of the subsoil, as found in
different parts of these hill 1 the clippings of
free-stone, or calcareous granite, from the free-stone
quarries. The principle of making these floors \s f
perhaps, at least in Great-Britain, peculiar to these
hills. In other parts of the united kingdom, earth-
en barn floors are always made with wet materials,
a kind of mortar, which is liable to crack as it dries,
and which requires drying for some months after
being made, before it grows hard enough for use.
Here, on the contrary, the materials arc worked dry;
of course they do not crack, and are ready for use
immediately on their being finished. The process
commences by mixing the above materials together
in equal quantities, and twice sifting them: the first
lime, through a wide sieve, to catch the stones and
larger gravel, which are thrown to the bottom of thn
floor; the next, through a finer sieve, to separate
the more earthy parts from the finer gravel, which
is spread on the stones. Above that are then regu-
larly distributed the more earthy parts : trimming
down, closely and firmly on each other, the dillcr-
rlit layers, and making the whole about a foot in
FARM- OFFICE'S. 41
thickness. The surface being levelled, is next
beaten with a flat wooden beetle, made like a gar-
dener's turf beater, till the floor becomes as hard as
stone, and rings at every stroke like metal. These
floors are extremely lasting ; being equally proof
against the besom and the flail. The materials, it
is true, cannot be procured in many districts ; but,
the principle of making barn floors with dry mate-
rials being kept in view, other substances may, on,
a fair trial, be found to answer the same purpose*
This practice of hardening earthen floors, c. by-
excessive beating, is practised in several parts of
the world ; and in the kingdom of Naples, as well
as in the island .of Malta, where the tops of the hou-
ses are constantly flat, the cement of which they.
are composed,, though sprinkled with water, in that-
warm climate, is rendered so hard and dry, as well
as so compact, smooth and even, by continued beat-
ing, that the rain is carried off from them with the
same freedom as from any flat leaden or copper roof,
without being at all subject to any sort of corrosion.
The lime ash floors, in Devonshire, made of the
refuse of the lime kilns, and ash of the Welch stone
coal, with which the lime-stone is burned, are of a
similar kind. .
0. To make ditmble Barn Floors.
A durable barn floor may be made of well-burnt
polished brick on edge, placed in the herring-bone
form, on a pavement of stone three inches and a
half in thickness ; or oaken plank two inches and a
half in thickness ; or even of well-tempered indura-
ted loam, of a proper substance, not less than eight
inches, and laid upon dry materials, or bottom.
Any of them will make a durable barn floor, provi-
ded it is kept free from wet, waggon wheels, and
horses feet. The best thrashing floor for small farms
> 2
\oriICULTURE.
i 1 oO acres, is made of sound plank. la larg<
farms (say 300 acres and upward) the thrashing ma-
chine should supersede the flail.
". The Virtues of Poplar Wood for the Flooring of
Granaries.
The Lombard poplar is recommended as a timber
adapted for flooring granaries, which is said to pre-
vent the destruction of corn by wevils and insects.
Poplar wood will not easily take fire.
SECT. III. WATER.
8. Easy Method of obtaining Wuier in almost any
situation.
The ground must be perforated by a borer. In
the perforation is placed a wooden pipe, which i-.
driven down with a mallet, after which the borinc:
^5
i- continued, lhat the pipe may be driven still far-
ther. In proportion as the cavity of the borer be-
comes loaded, it is drawn up and emptied; and in
time, by the addition of new portions of wooden
pipe, the boring is carried to any depth, and water
is generally obtained.
0. To keep Pond* and artificial pieces of Waicr free
from /f teds.
\\. the marquis of Exeter's scat, near Burghley.
there is an artificial piece of water, about a mile in
length, which used to be so overrun with weeds,
that three men were employed constantly, for six
months in evry year, to ke*ep them under, in which
they never perfectly succeeded. About seven years
ago, two pair of swans were nut on the water;
WATER FENCES.
they completely cleared away all the weeds the first
year, and none have appeared since, as the swans
constantly eat them before they rise to the surface.
10. Method of draining Ponds in level Grounds.
At a certain distance below the surface of the
earth, there sometimes is a stratum of loose sand,
which freely admits the passage of water. This
stratum is at various depths, in different elevations;
but it will be generally found, that lands most sub-
ject to stagnant ponds have but a shallow stratum of
clay over the sand. All that is necessary, there-
fore, is to dig a pit in the bottom of the pond, till
you arrive at this stratum of sand, when the water
will be immediately absorbed, and the pond emp-
tied.
SECT. IV. FENCES.
11. To make a Quickset Hedge or Fence.
Quick fences often become open in many places
at bottom, notwithstanding the utmost attention,
and more especially if neglected. The barberry
shrub, on the contrary, will make an impenetrable
fence, and always close at the bottom, because it
puts up numerous suckers from the roots, which fill
every vacancy. It may as easily be raised from
the berries as quick or hawthorn, and it grows fas-
ter. The suckers also will strike root easily, espe-
cially if planted early. These shrubs may be had
at most nurseries. The barberry, however, can
never make so strong a fence as a good well trained
hawthorn hedge. But there are situations where it
may be preferable ; on the top of a high bank, (for
it is comparatively a light shrub.) as in the Devon-
ACRICILTURE.
shire hedges, for mixing with oilier plants in a
hedge, or stopping gaps in an old hedge. For the
last purpose the common sweet-briar (the seedlings
of which may be raised in almost any situation for
10s. a thousand) is also excellent.
12. To train Evergreen and other Hedges.
o O
Evergreen hedges may beclipt about the begin-
ning, but no later than the middle of April, as by
that time they will begin to grow, and it is proper
that this work should be previously performed.
Some content themselves with clipping but once a
year, in which case the end of July, or 1st of Au-
gust, is a better time.
In trimming these, or indeed any hedge intends 1
as a close fence, they should be dressed up f<> a ihin
edge at top, as otherwise they are apt to get full of
ps below ; and the cause is obvious, that the un-
ikr part, in square or cut hedges, is too much shad-
ed by the upper part. Now. by sloping the sides,
every part of the hedge is freely exposed to the air,
nor is in any part over-dropped by another. \
hcdijc, intended merely as a fence, need seldom be
more than five feet high, or at most six. Screen
hedges may be ailo\ved to run to any height thought
necessary for that purpose, neither is it requisite to
trim them so often as fence hedges ; once a year, or
in two year-;, may be sufficient.
In the training of any hedge, it should not be
J opped or shortened, until it has arrived at a full
yard in height; but it may then have a little taken
oft' the points, in order to make it bush the belter,
and shoot of a more regular height afterwards. The
sides, however, should be trimmed from the second
01* third year of planting, that it may grow the more
complete and close below, for therein consists the
excellence of any fence. Jt should not. in
TEAMS.. 45
ping, at any time, while in training, be much cut
in, as that would make it push the stronger at top,
to the detriment of the sides. When fence hedges-
outgrow their limits, they must of course be cut
cither wholly or partly down ; but if they be tolera-
bly well kept, it is seldom necessary to cut them
down more than half to the ground.
SECT. V. TEAMS.
13. Great Advantage of Ploughing with Oxen in
stead of Horses*
A team of four young horses will frequently cost
a hundred or a hundred and twenty guineas, and in:
six or seven years time will be mere jades ; whereas,
on the other hand, a much less sum will purchase
four capital six-year old oxen, which, after they
have worked five or six years, and have been kept
at two thirds of the expense of horses, will fetch as
much, or more, than their first cost.
Remark. The advantage of preferring oxen to
horses, however, is disputed by the most eminent
practical farmers. The principal point is, "that the
profit of a farmer, particularly in bad seasons, often
depends on the getting his work done within a given
time. In emergencies, a horse may be fed up to
almost any work. But an ox, however fed, will
sink under his labour, if tasked beyond his ordina-
ry rate. The farmer does not lose his half-worked
horses, for there is a demand for them by higglers,
petty carriers, and others, to whom of course he
sells them when they become less fit than at first for
his more severe work. The argument is stated as
fully, and perhaps as temperately, in the article
" Agriculture^ in the "Edinburgh Encyclopedia^
4C AGRICULTURE.
as in any other place. It is too long for ihrs col-
lection.
14. Useful Hints relative to Carters and Teams of
Oxen.
Do not retard the growth of your bca c 's of draft,
endanger their health, render them insignificant in
the eyes of the many, and disgustful to their keep-
ers, by working them too young. There is na dan-
ger of their becoming unmanageable ; nose rings
reclaim them, be they ever so riotous ; neverthe-
less, the younger they are inured to light work, tin.
more docile they will generally become.
Do not expect that they can work constantly, on
straw, nor expect to find them alert and spirited,
while their buttocks arc clodded with dung, and
their coats throughout are filled with dirt and ver-
min.
Divide them into teams of four; let each team be
fed by its respective carter. To give the man con-
sequence with his fellow-servants, provide him with
a curry comb lacquered on the back, and a brush
bound with gilt leather. With these he will take
a delight in combing off the dirt, and brushing out
tliL'du>t and filth. The ox, too, after the sensation
becomes familiar, partakes in the pleasure, and will
momentarily forego his meal to receive the full en-
joyment. lfi< feeder perceives this, nndbru-:-
il.c part which gives the most pleasure. The ox
\vs his gratitude by wagging his tail ; the caru :.
in return, calls him by his name, and ingratiates
himself with him. Thus, not only an intimacy b;i:
a mutual affection is formed, which at once gives
attention to the keeper, and docility to the ox, and
renders the labour of both pleasant.
A good carter feeds his cattle early and late, and
by little and little, being careful not to give m<->- -, ,
oir.e than thev will eat immediately.
MANURES.
Their labour and their fodder ought to be so pro-
portioned, that their health and their spirits are
kept in full tone. Their coats ought to be sleek ;
their hides loose and silky; the flank should fill the
hand ; and the shoulder handle mellow. If they
be overworked or under fed, disease and sluggish-
ness must inevitably follow. A working ox ought
always to be beef, that, in case of accident, he may
grace, at least, the poor man's table.
If oxen be introduced into a horse-team country,
not only attention, but some address is necessary.
SECT. VI. MANURES.
15. Manure for Clover.
Some farmers make it a rule to spread about fifty
bushels per acre of ashes over their clover in
March, which they find, from long experience, to
be a good manure for this grass. Wood-ashes will
be useful on any soil; coal-ashes chiefly on stiff
clays. On the stiff soils of some parts of Bucking-
hamshire, ashes of all kinds are much esteemed, and
have risen to a high price.
16. Utility of Pig eon? s Dung as a Manure.
Pigeon's dung will improve moist meadows very
much by extirpating bad kinds of grasses, bringing
white clover in its stead, and augmenting the crop.
1 7. For Compost Dunghills.
Mix one hundred loads of earth with ten chal-
drons of lime (a chaldron is thirty-six bushels) a-
bout May ; let them lie together until the lime is fall-
en, but not run to mortar ; then turn it over ; lay
4& AGRICULTURE.
seventy loads of stable dung close to it. U'lien
the dung is in a high putrid heat, which will per-
haps be in four months, lay a layer of this and a
layer of earth, two thirds of manure to one of
earth, and so go through the hill ; turn it over in
the spring, and lay it on in March or April ; eigh*
loads on an acre of grass.
18. Another Compost.
Mix lime and earth as before, and turn it ; then
cover it with soil from privies, and coal-ashes abor.
one third in quantity: lay it on the top for some
months, in an oblong heap ; then turn, and mix all
together, letting it lie some months longer; and lay
about eight loads on an acre of grasr-.
19. E i>> nt iii //iatit:/-//i'j Land.
\- a farmer, like a chemist, should lose none ui
hi rials, but even make his washings, runnings,
,\ residuums, turn out to his advantage, I have
sent you some account of an experiment I have
made in manuring of land, which I beg you will lav
before the committee of agriculture, that they ma}
communicate itloo'Y PS.
1 am possessed of a farm of near three hundred
pounds a year, and have in my yard what you usu-
ally see in most farmer's yards, iwu recesses or
pools, as reservoirs of dung and waier. These n -
servoirs of dur.i- and water are continually running;
* ^5
over, and of course part of the matter contained i;i
{.hern is carried off by the necessary drains, into the
highways, ditches, and rivers.
o *
As much of the essential quality of the dung is
lost in this manner, (for part of the salts, whether
fixed or volatile, will be washed into the pools, and
when they run over, will be conveyed into the
pitches, r c.) I thought it a part of good husband'-
MANURES. 49
to carry this superabundant water or manure, (for so
we may justly call it,) on rny land, which I did by
means of a watering-cart, not unlike those with
which the roads near London are watered in sum-
mer-time, to allay the dust.
That the experiment might be the more obvious
and certain, I first tried it in the beginning of
March, on a few acres, in the middle of a large
field of wheat, where, in a little time. I found a con-
siderable increase in growth, both of grass and
grain ; and at hay-time and harvest, both the one
tend the other were much better crops than what the
same lands produced that were not so manured.
As a man, or even a boy, with one of these carts.
and one horse, may manure a great deal of land in
a day, provided it be near the yard, I would recom-
mend the practice to all farmers ; for the expense
is nothing but the value of the time of the boy and
horse, and the increase- by what I have seen will be
very great.
v O
This manure may be also laid to great advantage
on land, that is fresh sown with barley, oats, or any
other grain ; but on grass it should be laid in the
winter time, when the rains will wash the salts off
the blades ; or in the spring, when the lands are laid
up for hay, as the cattle will not feed on the grass
while the dung or salt adheres to the blade of it.
This dung water should likewise be carried on the
land, not at a time when it rains, but in dry weath-
er, and at a time when the dung water iu the pools
is of a deep brown colour, and strongly impregnat-
ed with salts. By this means the land may be ma-
nured from time to time, and the pools kept almost
empty for the reception of fresh matter almost every
time it rains, and nothing will be lost.
AGRK IL'lUIiL.
20. Dr. Taylor's Easy Method of a?ccrtuining lit?
Qualities of J\hrle, Lime Stones, or Quick Lime,
for Ihe Purposes of Agriculture.
This was a communication by Dr. Taylor to the
Manchester Agricultural Society : the general use
of marie and lime, as manures, having prompted
him to point out the importance of an easy and cer-
tain method of determining the qualities of different
earths and stones, and ascertaining the quantity of
calcareous earth in their composition ; their value,
in agriculture, commonly increasing in proportion
to the greater quantity of it which they contain.
The process recommended is thus described. The
innrlt- or stone being dried, and reduced to powder,
put half an ounce of it into a half pint glass, pour-
ing in clear water till the glass is half full ; then
gradually add a small quantity of strong marine acid,
commonly called .-pirit of salt, and >tir the mixture
well together. As soon as the effervescence thus
excited subsides, add a litile more marine acid :
thus continuing the operation while any of the ear-
thy matter appears to di>solvc; and till the liquor,
after being well stirred and allowed to stand for h;;li
an hour, appear^ .-rnsibly acid to the taste. When
the mixture has subsided, if the liquor above it be
colourless, that marlc or lime stone is the best which
leaves the least in quantity of sediment or deposit
fst the bottom of the glass. This experiment is suf-
ficient to determine which of the samples tried i-
niost proper for the uses of agriculture ; as pure cal-
careous earth or lime, which is the earth useful i;i
agriculture, will be entirely dissolved, but clay or
sand will not be sensibly acted on by the acid.
Where great accuracy is required in determining th
experiment, lay a soft spongy paper, of which the
weight is exactly taken, in an earthen colander for
no metallic vessel, or implement for stirring,
CULTURE OF CROPS.
must be used in any part of the process aud, pour-
ing the saturated mixture of earth and acid on it, let
all the liquor fill re through ; then pour a little clear
water over the earthy matter remaining on the filter ;
and, when that water has also filtered through, dry
the paper with the earthy matter on it which re-
mains undissolved, when the deficiency found, on.
weighing them, from their original weight, will dis-
cover what portion of the marie or lime has been
dissolved in the acid. What quantity of earthy
matter has been dissolved, may be made evident to
the sight, by gradually adding, to the liquor which
has been filtered through the paper, a clear solu-
tion of pearl ashes, or ashes of burnt wood ; this
will occasion a precipitation of the contained limo
or calcareous earth to the bottom of the vesseh
which precipitate must be dried and weighed.
SECT. VII. CULTURE, &c. OF CROPS.
21. Easy Method of discovering whether or not
Seeds are sufficiently rips.
Seeds, when not sufficiently ripe, will swim, but
when arrived at full maturity, they will be found
uniformly to fall to the bottom ; a fact that is said to
hold equally true of all seeds, from the cocoa nut to
t-he orchis.
2*?. To preserve Seeds, when sown, from Vermin.
Steep the grain or seed three or four hours, or a
sufficient time for it to penetrate the skin, or husk,
in a strong solution of liver of sulphur.
23. Striped Grass recommended for Hay.
The Indian striped or ribband grass, which is
cultivated in gardens, would answer admirably for
hay. In rich grounds plants are frequently four feet
high ; what a burden of hay would a field so crop-
ped produce ! Cattle are exceedingly fond of it - y
.-' AGRICULTURE.
.lie seeds are easily saved, so that a person- migFir
.con have enough for a rood, and from that save a-
gairi and again, lor as many acres as he might chnsc.
It is probable that the crop might be much too large
o be made en the field where it grew -, if so, it would
be worth while to carry part into another field.
When to cut Rye-Grass fur
Rye-grass, if mown for hay, should be cut when
in blossom, and not creen. The hay made from it
does not heat or sweat so much, and is very good
for horses, but not for sheep and cattle. If it is suf-
fered to stand too long before it is cut, the seeds
rob the plants of their juices, and leave it no bet-
ter than wheat or rye straw.
26. To prevent Hay-Stacks from taking fire,
tVhcn there is any reason to fear that the hay,
which is intended to be housed or stacked, is not
sufficiently dry, it is only necessary to scatter a few
hanclfuls of common salt (muriate of soda) between
each layer. It would be very ill judged to regret
this trifling expense, for the salt, by absorbing the
humidity of the hay. not only prevents the ferment-
ation and consequent inflammation of it, but it also-
adds a taste to this forage, which stimulates the ap-
petites of cattle, assists their digestion, and preserves
them from many diseases.
AY//m/-/j. The cattle like a liule salt, but it has
little effect in preventing inflammation.
G. Method of preventing the Smut hi Wheat.
} have seen a great deal, read a great deal, heard
a great deal, of the benefits arising from steeping
seed wheat in brines and other preparations, to pre-
vent its being smutty : some have answered, others
have miscarried ; but I always observed that if the
seed was well washed, it failed not. I took the hint,
nnd washed well, in a lartre tub. some seed I knov-
CULTURE OF CROPS. 53
to be smutty. I washed it in plain simple water,
stirring it violently with birchen brooms, and took
care, from time to time, to skim off the light corn,
impurities, &c. It answered well, and I have con-
tinued the practice ever since. Let your practical
readers try it, and it will do the same.
27. To prevent the Smut in Wheat.
The means to prevent smut are simple ; and no
other than immersing the seed in pure water, and
repeatedly scouring it therein, just before it is sown
or dibbled in.. Whether well, spring, or river wa-
ter be used, is indifferent ; but repeated stirring and
change of water is essential to remove the possible
particles of infection that may have imperceptibly
adhered to the seed. Thus purified, the subsequent
crop will be perfect in itself, and seed successively
so likewise, if there be no adjacent fields from
whence this contamination may be wafted. The
addition of any alkaline or earthy salt, by increas-
ing the specific gravity of the water, is of advantage
in floating off the unsound grains, and after the seed
is washed it should be dried immediately, by rub-
bing it with newly slacked lime.
28. Fertilising Steeps for Turnips, Wheat , or Barley.
Steep turnip seed twelve hours in train oil, which-
strain through a fine sieve, and immediately tho-
roughly mix the quantity of seed you would wish to
SJDW on an acre with three bushels of dry loamy earth,
finely silted, which drill (or sow) as soon as possi-
ble ; and when the plants begin to appear, throw a.
small (quantity of soot over them.
29. Steep for Wheat, Barley, or other Grain*.
Put a peck and a half of wood ashes, and a peclr
f unslacked lime, into a tub that will hold forty gal-
lons ; then add as much water as will slake the lime,
and render the mixture into the consistence of suff
AGRICULTURE.
mortar. In this state It should remain ten or tweu
hours; then add as much water as will reduce t!
mortar to a pulp by thorough stirring. In this state
fill the tub with water, and occasionally keep stir-
ring for two or three days. After which, draw off
the clear lye into an open vessel, and gradually put
the grain into it : skim off the light grains ; and af-
ter the corn has been steeprd three hours, spread k
on a clean floor to drv, when it will be sufficiently
* ' *
prepared for drilling or sowing. The lye will re-
tain its full virtue, and may be repeatedly used.
Remark. It has been doubled whether steeps are
of any use, except so far as they facilitate the sepa-
ration of the light grains, and wash oil* the seeds of
the parasite plants, which are thought to occasion
Hnut, &c. In the best cultivated parts of Scotland,
:-ecd uh'.'at is steeped in stale urine, or in a brine
made with common salt, which, by increasing the
specific gravity of the water, floats the unsound
: rains. The seed is well washed, and then driej^
ily mixing it with fresh slacked lime, and rubbing it
briskly with a wooden shovel. The quick limear. 1
nibbing is thought to assist in cleansing the seed;
.-lit. independent of that, the mere drying the seed
quickly is convenient.
.""O. To sow Wheat to ^chantage without laying on
Manure.
It has been found expedient sometimes to sow
\vhcat without laying on any manure; and, in the
ginning of February, to collect twenty bushels of
lime, unslacked. for every acre, and forty bushels of
sand, and the rubbish of a brick-kiln ; then, about
the end of the month, to slake the lime, which dou-
bles the measure, and mix, it well with the sand, and
immediately afterwards to scatter it by way of top-
dressing over the green wheat. As rain generally
succeeds, it is soon washed down tg the roots of the
i
CULTURE OF CROPS. 55
plants, and gives them a vigour and strength which,
to those who never made the experiment, is aston-
ishing. The lime, sand, and rubbish, are particu-
larly useful in breaking the tenacity of stitf clays.
In a clay soil, where coal was very cheap, the clay
was slightly burned in the field, and spread over
the surface, as the cheapest way of subduing the
coarseness and stiffness of the soil. The refuse or
rubbish from mines in the neighborhood has been
burned and applied with advantage on the same
principle*
31. Approved Method of Sowing Wheat on Narrow
Ridges.
The seedsman should walk up one side of the bed
and down the other side, always keeping his face,
and the hand with which he sows, towards the bed
he is sowing : his eye must be continually on the
edge of the opposite interfurrow, and deliver his
seed principally on the side of the bed next to it :
as he returns, the sides will of course be reversed^
and the beds become evenly seeded.
32. Great Utility of sowing Buck-Wheat.
In light lands buck-wheat may be raised to great
advantage, as a lucrative crop. When green it is a
fine feed for milch kine, and when ploughed is a fine
preparation for the land. , It fattens pigs with great
economy, and, passed through the mill, is, with car-
rot, a capital feed for work horses. The seed is
excellent food for poultry, and when ground makes
good bread.
33. To keep Crows from Corn.
Take a quart of train oil, as much turpentine and
bruised gunpowder, boil them together, and, when
hot, dip pieces of rags in the mixture, and fix them
on sticks in the field. About four are sufficient for
an acre of corn.
56 AGRICULTURE.
34. Proper Soil for the Culture of
Sandy loams, in good heart, arc most favorable to
their growth, though they will thrive well on strong
loams, if not wet; but on clayey, thin, or wet soils,
they are not worth cultivating; for though a good
crop may be raised on such ground, when well pre-
pared and dunged, more damage is done by taking
off the turnips in winter, in poaching the soil, than
the value of the crop will repay.
35. Instructions for raising Potatoes to advantage*
The earth should be dcg twelve inches deep, if
the soil will allow it : ai'ler this, a hole should be
opened about six inches deep, and horse dung, or
long litter, should be put therein, about three inches
thick : this hole should not be more than twelve in-
ches diameter. Upon this dung, or litter, a potatoe
should be planted whole, upon which a little more
uung should be snaken, and then the earth must be
put thereon. In like manner the whole plot of
ground must be planted, taking care that the pota-
toes be set at least sixteen inches apart. When the
young shoots make their appearance they should
have fresh mould drawn round them with a hoc, and
if the tender shoots arc covered, it will prevent the
frost from injuring them : they should again be earth-
ed when the shoots make a second appearance, but
not covered, as, in all probability, the season will
be less severe.
A plentiful supply of mould should be given them,
and the person who performs this business should
never tread upon the plant, or the hillock that is
raised round it, as, the lighter the earth is, the more
~oom the potatoe will have to expand.
A gentleman obtained from a single root thus
planted, very near forty pounds weight of large po-
atoes ; and, from almost every other root upon the
same plot of ground, from fifteen to twenty pounds
PF iSERVATlON OF CORY AND VEGETABLES.
Weight ; and, except the soil be stony or gravelly,
ten pounds, or half a peck, of potatoes may almost
be obtained from each root, by pursuing the fore-
going method.
36. Preparation for Carrots and other winged Seeds.
Take two bushels of dry loamy earth, finely sift-
ed ; to which add one bushel of bran, and a sufficient
quantity of carrot seed, cleaned from stalks, and well
rubbed between the hands ; all which thoroughly
mix together, and drill (or sow.) The carrot seed
will stick to the bran, which, with the earth, will
be regularly discharged.
SECT. VIII. PRESERVATION OF CORN
AND VEGETABLES.
37. Important discovery relative to the Preservation
of Corn.
To preserve rye, and secure it from insects and
rats, nothing more is necessary than not to winnow
it after it is thrashed, but merely separate it from
the straw, and to stow it in the granaries mixed
with the chaff. In this state it has been kept for
more than three years, without experiencing the
smallest alteration, and even without the necessity
of being turned to preserve it from humidity and
fermentation. Rats and mice may be prevented-
from entering the barn, by putting some wild vine or
hedge plants upon the heap; the smell of the wood
is so offensive to these animals, that they will not
approach it.. The experiment has not yet been
made with wheat and other kinds of grain, but they
may probably be preserved in the chaff with equal
advantage, h must however be observed, that the
husks and corns of rye are different from most other
grain. It has been sown near houses, where many
poultry were kepi for the purpose of bringing up r c
iKi AGRICULTURE,
crop of grass, because the poultry do riot destroy
they would have done wheat, oats, or even barley
in the same situation.
>8. To preserve Corn in Sacks.
Provide a reed cane, or other hollow stick, mad. 1
so by pliiinir together l\vo grooved sticks: let it be a-
O
bout three feet nine inches long; and that it may
be the easier thrust down to the bottom of the corn
in the sack, its end be made to taper to a point, by
a wooden plug that is fix< d in, : -d slops il-.c orifice.
About one hundred and fifty small hole-?, of one
t ighth of an inch in diameter, are to be !ored on all
sides of the s'.ick, from its bottom for about (wo 1< <'.
ten inches of its length ; but no nearer to the surface
of the corn, lest too great a proportion of the air
should escape there. By winding a packthread in
a spiral form round the stick, the boring of the holes
may be the better regulated, so as to have them a-
bout half an inch distant towards the bottom, but
gradoalty at wider distances, so as to be an inch
Kider at the upper part; by which means the
lower part of the corn will have its due proportion
of fresh oir. To the top of the s:irk !t i there be fix-
ed a leathern pipe ten inches loi.v; : which pipe is.
to be distended by two yards of spiral wire, coiled
r;~> within it. Atliic upper part of the pipe is fixed
a taper woodrn fr-^ _ ihtb which the nose of a
common household bciows is to be put, in order to
ventilate the corn.
Jf corn, when first put into sack's, be thus aired,
every other or third day, for ten or fifteen minutes,
its darnj) sweats, which would hurt it, will, in a f<
weeks, be carried off to such a degree, that it will
afterwards keep sweet with very little airing, as has
been found by experience.
By the same means other kinds of seeds, as well
as corn, may be kept sweet either in sacks or smo
bins.
PRESERVATION OF CORN AND VEGETABLES.
39. To preserve Oats from being musty.
Richard Furmore, Esq. of Tusmorc, in Oxford-
shire, has, in his stable, a contrivance to let oats
down from a loft out of a vessel, like the hopper .of
a mill, whence they fall into a square pipe, let into
a wall about fou* inches diagonal, which comes into
a cupboard set into a wall, but with its end so near
the bottom, that there shall never be above a de-
sirable quantity in the cupboard at a time, which
being taken away, another parcel succeeds ; by this
motion the oats are kept constantly sweet, (the tak-
ing away one .gallon, moving the whole above)
which, when laid up otherwise in great quantities,
frequently grow musty.
40. Easy Method of destroying Mites or Weevils in
Granaries.
A very sagacious farmer has succecded-in de-
stroying weevils by a very easy process. In the
month of June, when his granaries were all empty,
he collected great quantities of the largest sized
ants, and scattered them about the places infested
with the weevils. The ants immediately fell upon
and devoured everyone of them ^ nor have any wee-
vil's since that time been seen on his premise?.
Remark. The large, or wood ant, feeds entirely
.on animal substances, of course it would not destroy
the corn.
41. To preserve Carrots, Parsnips, and Beets all
the Winter.
A little before the frost sets in, draw your beets
or parsnips out of the ground, and lay them in the
house, burying their roots in sand to the neck of the
plant, and ranging them one by another in a shelv-
ing position ; then another bed of sand, and another
of beets, and continue this order to the last. By
pursuing this method, they will keep very fresh,
When they are wanted for use, draw them as they
stand, not out of the middle or sides.
60
42. To preserve Turnips from Ffost.
The best way is to stack them up in straw in
following manner: One load of any dry straw is
Sufficient for an acre of fifty tons weight. Pull up
the turnips, top and tail them, then throw them in
a sort of windrow, and let them lie a few days to
dry.
First, lay a layer of straw next the ground, and
upon it a layer of turnips about half a yard thick ;
Then another layer of straw ; so go on alternately
with a layer of straw and a layer of turnips"; every
layer grows narrower, till it comes to a point at the
top like a sugar loaf. The last layer must be straw,
which. serves to keep all dry. You must observe
always when you have laid a layer of turnips, to
stroke or lap over the ends of the under layer of
straw, in order to keep them close, or from tumbling
out. The heap should be as large as a hay-cork :
the tops may be given to sheep or cattle as they ar"
cut olf.
43. Another,
Turnips placed in layers, though not thirk. havr
been found, after a few wcrks, to rot. in some
places the following method is adopted : Lay the
turnips close together in a single layer, on a grass
field, near the farm yard, and scatter some straw
and branches of trees over them : this will preserve
them from sudden alterations of frost and thaw.
They keep as well as stored turnips can do. The
bare grass is of no value in winter, and may rather
perhaps receive some benefit from the shelter of the
turnip. An immense quantity may thus be stored
on a small extent of grass-ground. It is chiefly use-
ful for small formers, in soils unfit for the turnip, but
who are forced to raise it for milk-cows, or to sup-
port in the winter, the sheep they feed in the sum-
mer on the commons, and which they keep per-
haps principally in the night on the fields they have
AGRICULTURE. 61
fto other means of manuring. But it may be useful
even on proper turnip soils, to save the latter part
of the crop from the sudden frosts and sunshine in
the spring, or in an open winter, which rot so great
a portion of it ; perhaps a fourth or third part of
what is then on the ground.
SECT. IX. PROTECTION OF GROWING
CROPS FROM THE DEVASTATION OF
VERMIN.
44. The good Effects of Elder in preserving Plant*
from Insects and Flies.
1. For preventing cabbage and cauliflower plants
from being devoured and damaged by caterpillars,
2. For preventing blights, and their effects on
fruit trees.
3. For preserving corn from yellow flies and
other insects.
4. For securing turnips from the ravages of flies.
The dwarf elder appears to exhale a much more
fcetid smell than "the common elder, and therefore
should be preferred.
45. The Use of Sulphur in destroying Insects on
Plants, and its Benefit for Vegetation.
Tie i.:p some flower cf sulphur in a piece of mus-
lin or fine linen, and with this the leaves of youn
shoots of plants should be dusted, or it may be
thrown on them by the means of a common swans-
down puff", or even by a dredging-box.
Fresh assurances have repeatedly been received
of the powerful influence of sulphur against the
whole tribe of insects and worms which infest and
prey on vegetables. Sulphur has also been found
to promote the health of plants, on which it was
sprinkled ; and that peach trees, in particular, were
remarkably improved by it, and seemed to absorb
F
C2 PROTECTION' OF CROPS FROM VERMIN".
it. It has likewise been observed, that the verdure.
and other healthful appearances, were perceptibly
increased ; for the quantity of new shoots and leaves
formed subsequently to the operation, and having
no sulphur on their surfaces, served as a kind of
comparative index, and pointed out distinctly the
accumulation of health.
46. Methods of stopping the Ravages of the Cater-
pillars from Shrubs, Plant s, and Vegetables.
Take a chafllng-dish, with lighted charcoal, and
place it under the branches of the tree, or bush,
whereon are the caterpillars ; then throw a little
brimstone on the coals. The vapour of the sul-
phur, which h mortal to these insects, and the suf-
focating fixed air arising from the charcoal, will not
only destroy all that are on the tree, but will effectu-
ally prevent the shrubs from being, that season, in-
fcslcd with them. A pound of sulphur will clear n !
IT. any trees as grow on several acres.
Another method of driving these insects offfruii-
Irecs, is to boil a together quantity of rue, worm-
wood, and common tobacco (of each equal parts,)
in common water. The liquor should be very
strong. Sprinkle this on the leaves and young
branches every morning and evening during the time
the fruit is ripening.
In the Economical Journal of France, the fol-
lowing method of guarding cabbages from the depre-
dations of caterpillars is stated to be infallible, and
and may, perhaps, be equally serviceable against
those which infest other vegetables. Sow with
hemp all the borders of the ground wherein the cab-
bage is planted ; and, although the neighbourhood
be infested with caterpillars, the space inclosed by
the hemp will be perfectly free, and not one of these
vermin will approach it..
AGRICULTURE. 6.,'
17. To prevent the Increase of Pismires in Grass-
lands nctvly laid den-):.
Make a strong decoction of walnut-tree leave.%
rind after opening several of the pismire's sandy
habitations, pour upon them a quantity of the li-
-jiior. just sufficient to fill the hollow of each heap:
after the middle of it has been scooped, throw in
?he contents IVom the sides, and press down the
whole mass with the foot, till it becomes level with
he rest of the field. This, if not found effectual at
first, must be repeated a second or a third time,
when they infallibly will be destroyed.
48. Liquor for destroying Caterpillars, Ants, and
otker Insects.
Take a pound and three quarters of soap, the
same quantity of flower of sulphur, two pounds of
champignons, or puff balls, and fifteen gallons of
water. When the whole has been well mixed, by
the aid of a gentle heat, sprinkle the insects with
the liquor, and it will instantly kill them.
49. To destroy Jlnts.
Ants are destroyed by opening the nest, and put-
ting in quicklime, and throwing water on it.
50. To prevent the Fly in Turnips.
Sow good and fresh seed in well manured and
well prepared ground.
51. To prevent the Destruction of Field Turnips by
Slugs.
A few years since, a considerable farmer, near
7 ath, observing the turnips in one of his fields
st . K rjgly attacked by something, discovered, by ac-
cidcif t j iat tne g nem y was really a slug, and im-
rnediaio v prevented farther damage by well roll-
ing the \>, i G fie j c i by r]j ht. whicn ^11^ a n tn
slugs.
o4 PROTECTION: OF CROPS FROM VERMI.V.
N. B. This was the grand secret which was ad-
vertised for two thousand subscribers, at one guinea
each, by W. Vagg, for destroying the fy in turnips,
which it will not do !
52. For preventing Flics from destroying tJie Seed-
ling Leaves of Turnips, d^-c.
Mix six ounces of flower of brimstone with t^rce
pounds of turnip seed, daily, for three days succes-
sively, in an earthen-glazed pot, and keep it clou:
covered, stirring all together well at each addition >
that the seed may be the more tainted with the sul-
phur : this will sow an acre of ground, and let the
weather come wet or dry, it will keep the fly ofr'till
the third or fourth seeding leaf is formed; and by
this time they will all be somewhat bitterish, and
consequently very much out of danger of this little
black Hying insect, which, in summer time, may IT
seen in swarms, on the wing, near the ground,
:rci;ing for, and settling on fresh bites, till they
n:i.'i thousands of acres.
53. To prevent J\Iicc from destroying early sown
Peas.
The tops of furze, or whins, chopped and thrown
into the drills, and thus covered up (by goading
them in their attempt to scratch) is an ctt< n::nl pre-
ventive. Sea sand, strewed prclly thick upon the
surface, has the same effect. It gets into their cars
and is troublesome.
54. Jl;U)ihcr*
In the gardens in Devonshire, a simple trap is
used to destroy mice. A common brick, or Hat sto >0
is set on one end, inclined at an angle of about fr '
fivc degrees. Two strings, tied to a cracke
stuck in the ground, with loops at the e^' 8
strings, are brought round to the mi<Jd L f tne ur >-
dcr part of the brick, and one loop jC:n S P IU into
ANGLING.
the other, a pea or bean, or any other bait, makes
the string fast, so as to support the brick. When
the animal removes the bait, the loops separate,
and the brick, by falling, smothers the animal,
SECT. X. WEEDS.
55. Usefulness of mowing Weeds.
In the month of June, weeds are in their most
succulent state ; and in this state, especially after
they have lain a few hours to wither, hungry cattle
will eat greedily almost every species. There is
scarcely a hedge border, or a nook, but what at
season is valuable; and it certainly must be good
management to embrace the transient opportunity;
for, in a few weeks, they will become nuisance
'(See also Cattle, Dairy, Vermin, Weather,
CHAPTER II.
3 6. To preserve Fishing Rods.
Oil your rods, in summer, with linseed oil, dry-
ing them in the sun, and taking care the parts lie
flat they should be often turned, to prevent them
from warping. This will render them tough, and
prevent their being worm-eaten ; in time they will
acquire a beautiful brown colour. Should they
get wet, which swells the wood, and makes it fast
m the sockets, turn the part round over the flame
of a candle a short time, and it will be easily sei
at liberty.
66 ANGLING.
57. To make Quill Floats for Fishing.
Take any quantity of swan or goo.sc quills you
may want, cut off tne barrel part from that where
the feathers grow, and, with a thick piece of wire
wrapped round the end with cotton wool, clear the
inside of the quill from the film ; put in a small
piece of pitch, about the size of a sweet pea, and,
with the wire, force it to the end, ramming it close ;
this will effectually keep out the water; put a small
piece of cotton wool upon the pitch, sufficient, when
forced close into the quill, to form a space of a
quarter of an inch, and, upon the cotton, add anoth-
er piece of pitch of the same size as the first, which
will secure the cotton, and make the iloat easily dis-
cerned on the water; take a piece of sallow hazel,
or other soft wood, about the same size as the cir-
.'mieronce of the quill, and about two inches long ;
lit it neatly about ? of an inch into the quill, and fas-
ten it with a cement made of powdered bees-wax,
rosin, and chalk, melted over the fire in a ladle;
dip the plug in when it is sufficiently melted and in-
corporated, and put into it immediately a piece of
doubled brass wire, the loop e:id formed into a
round eye, and the other twisted, which will pass
into the plug like a screw, holding the wire fast with
a pair of small pliers, and turning the float round ;
the line passes through the eye of the wire ; the top
of the float is made fast to the line by a hoop made
-f the barrel part of the quill, and rather wider than
'.he float, to admit the thickness of the line ; by
means of this hoop the float may be shifted at plea-
sure, according to the depth you are inclined to
iish ; the hoops eiay be dyed red by the following
method : Take some stale urine, and put to it as
much Brazil wood in powder as will make it a deep-
rcd; then take some fair water, and put a handful
of salt into it, and a small quantity of argol, stirring
them till they are dissolved 5 boil them over tjie lire
ANGLIXG. 67
in a saucepan, and when cold, put in the quills, well
scraped, and let them lie awhile in it ; then take
them out, and put them into the urine made red with
the Brazil wood, and let them continue a fortnight ;
when dry, rub them with a woollen cloth, and they
will be transparent.. The hoops must be cut with a.',
sharp knife, or the quill will split.
58, Improved Method of making Cork Floats fur
Fishing.
Take a cork, firm and free from flaws, and with
a small red-hot iron, bore a hole lengthways through
the centre ; with a sharp knife cut it across the
grain about two-thirds of the length, tapering to the
end where the hole is bored, and the remaining
third rounded with it, (which is the top of the float)
in the shape of an egg, the lower end tapering more
gradually, resembling in shape the small peg- tops.,
children play with..
59. Easy Method of dying Fishing Lines.
Lines of silk or hemp may be coloured by a
strong decoction of oak bark, which, it is believed,
renders them more durable, and resists the water ;
it gives them an excellent russet-brown colour, and.
any shade of it may be obtained, by the time they
remain in the decoction, which should be cold.
60* To prevent Fishing Lints from rotting.
Never wind your lines on your reel wet 5 at leas-t,
when you get home, wrap them round the back of-a
chair, and let them be thoroughly dried, otherwise
they will soon rot, and cannot be depended on ;
with this care they will last a considerable time.
61. To prevent taking Cold while Angling.
Avoid sitting upon the ground, though it may ap-
pear dry, for the heat of the body will cause a aiois-
ture which soon cools, and may be sensibly felt.
T8 ANGLING.
the angler, through age or infirmity, is incapable of
standing long, a piece of coarse woollen cloth, dou-
bled two or three times, will be very useful to sit
.upon, especially in fishing for barbel, reach, and
dace, where the angler is confined to one place.
C2. To improve the Sj)ort of Angling, by Attention
to the Dress.
Some attention should be paid to the colour of an
.angler's dress ; it is natural to conclude, that green
would be most eligible, as it would vary little from
those objects with which fish are familiarised, such
as trees growing near the sides of rivers, and herb-
age on the banks ; yet, as this particular colour
might, be disagreeable to many, the angler should a-
void all strong contrasts to those objects, particular-
ly scarlet, and very light colours.
. Jiulcsfor Fly Fishing,
\ fishing fly is a bait used in angling for various
kinds offish. The fly is either natural or artificial.
The chief of the natural flies are the "stone fly,"
found under hollow stones at the sides of rivers,
between April and July; it is brown, with yellow-
streaks, and has large wings. The "green-drake,*'
found among stones by riversides ; it has a yellow
body ribbed with green ; it is long and slender, with
wings like a butterfly, ar.d is common in the spring.
The " oak fly," found on the body of an oak or ash,
is of a brown colour, and common during the 'sum-
mer months. The " palmer fly or worm," found
on the leaves of plants, when it assumes the fly state
from that of the caterpillar ; it is much used in trout
fishing. The " ant fly," found on ant hilK from
June to September. The u May fly," is to be found
playing at the river side, especially before rain.
And the " black fly," which is to be found upon eve-
ry hawthorn after the buds are oil'. There are two
ways to fish with natural flies, either on the surface.
\N"GLIXGf ; . 69
of die water, or a little underneath it. In angling:
7 O O-
for roach, dace, &c. the fly should be allowed to
glide clown the stream to the fish, but in very still
water the bait may be drawn by the fish, which will
make him eagerly pursue it.
There are many sorts of artificial flies to be had"
at the shops ; they are made in imitation of natural
flies, and the rules for using them are as follow :
Keep as far from the waters edge as may be, and
fish down the stream with the sun at your back : the
/
line must not touch the water.. In clear rivers the
angler must use small /lies with slender wings, but
in muddy waters a larger fly may be used. After
rain, when the waters are muddy, an orange-colour*
ed fly may be user. 1 with advantage ; in a clear day,
the fly must be light coloured, and in dark water
the fly must tv dark. The line should, in general,
be twice as long as the rod ; but, after all, much
will dep^d upon a quick eye and active hand,
Flies pade for catching salmon must have their
wing" standing one behind the other. This fish is
sa : -/to be attracted by the gaudiest colours that can
.'/e obtained ; the winsrs and tail should be ions: and
o
spreading..
64. To intoxicate, and take Fish,
Make a paste in the following manner : take cocu-
lus indicus, cummin seeds, fenugreek seeds, and co-
riander seeds, equal parts; reduce them to powder,
and make them into a paste, with rice-flour and wa-
ter ; reduce this paste into small balls of the size of
peas, and throw it into such ponds or rivers where
there are fish, which, after eating thereof, will rise
to the surface of the water almost motionless, and
v;ill allow themselves to be taken, out by the hand,
TO F^EFUL
CHAPTER III.
USEFUL ARTS.
65. Beneficial Purpose to irhirh Ihe Juice of .-/.
!' ('..:>',- (I.
TV the EasJ,-Ifidies aloes r.rc employed n<; a var-
nish, to preserve wood trom worm> and oilier i,j-
sects ; and ?!<ins, and ever) Uvi::.; :j:mn:d.var<- i ,1-
ed with it for the same n Tin.- havork com-
mitted by th<- white ants iu In.-lin first siii.v >li i fl
trial of aloe juice, to protect wood from them : for
which purpose the juice is either used as extracted,
or in solution. 1 y >ome solvent.
G6. L r tti( Jtiin- ' "" ' . on , c f: 'Jom*.
>< > have I.HT:I found effectual in preserving
ships fr e ravages of the worm and thesdhesion
of barir . Tlic sl.-i; *fi I : -. for this pu
i> smeared with a compo-iiion of hepatic aloe-, tur-
prnliiio. tallow, and white lead. In proof of the </
fir: , \ of (his method, two planks of e:jua! thickness,
and cut from the same tree, were plao '1 under wa-
ter, one in its natural state, and the other smeared
with tin: composition. On taking them up, after
hcinij: immersed ciirht month*, {!." I " ' is found
>~ C?
to be pf % ;' r < ( ,' as at first, while the former wr..s en-
tirely penetrated with insects, and in a state OJ '
solute rottenness.
^/. 7'' Bronzi Planter Figur,-.
\ ,ny the figure over with isinglass size tii'l it ho.
out. or without any part of its surface becoming dry
or spotted: then with a bru'-h. such as is termed I .
painters a sash tool, go over the whole, observi
carefully to remove any of the si/:e (wh.. it is yet
soft) that may lodge on the delicate or sharp p
tJSEFUL ART'S. 71
and set it aside to dry : when it has become so, take
a little very thin oil gold-size, and, with as much of
it as just damps the brush, go over the figure, al-
lowing no more of this size to remain than what
causes it to shine. Set it apart in a dry place, free
from ^jpoke, and, after it has remained there forty-
right hours, the figure is prepared for bronzing.
"The bronze, which is almost an impalpable pow-
der, (and may be had at the colour shops, of all me-
tallic colours) should be dabbed on with a little cot-
ton wool. After having touched over the whole fi-
gure, let it stand another day ; then, with a soft dry-
brush, rub off all the loose powder, and the figure
will resemble the metal it is intended to represent,
and possess the quality of resisting the weather.
68. To Blue Swords, Mourning Buckles, $-c.
Take a piece of grindstone and whetstone, and
rub hard on the work, to take ofT the black scurf
from it ; then heat it in the fire, and as it grows hot
the colour changes by degrees, coming first to a light
then to a dark gold colour, and lastly to a blue.-
Indigo and salad oil, ground together, is also used,
by rubbing the mixture on the work with a woollen
cloth, while it is heating, leaving it to cool of itself.
G9. Composition to take off Casts of Medals.
Melt eight ounces of sulphur over a gentle fire,
and mix it with a small quantity of fine vermilion;
stir it well together, aad it will dissolve like oil;
then cast it into the mould, which is first to be rub-
bed over with oil. When cool, the figure may be
taken, and touched over with aquafortis, and it will
lock like fine coral.
70. Method of Sweeping Chimnies without employing
Children, and the danger attending the old ricihod
pointed out.
Prociue a rope for the purpose, twice the length
72 ^ >E1'UL ARTS.
of the height of the chimney : to the middle of it lie
a bush (broom, furze, or any other.) of sufficient
size to fill the chimney, (if there be any windings in
it, tie a bullet or round stone to the end of the rope,)
and introduce the wood end of the bush after the
Tope has descended into the room ; then let a per-
-son pull it down. The bush, by the elasticity of
its twigs, brushes the sides of the chimney as it de-
scends, and carries the soot with it. If necessary,
the person at top, who has hold of the other end of
the rope, draws the bush up again ; but, in this case,
the person below must turn the bush, to send the
wood end foremost, before he calls to the person at
top to pull it up.
.Many people who are silent to thf calls of human-
ity, are yet attentive to the voice of interest : chim-
neys cleansed in this \\;iy m ver need a tenth part
of the repairs required when they :irc swept by chil-
dren, who, being obliged to work themselves up by
pressing with their feet and kncrs nn one side, and
their back on the other, often force out the bricks
which divide the chiinni' This is one of the cau-
s why, in many houses, a fire in one apartment al-
ways fills the adjoining one with smoke, and some-
times even the adjoining hous". Nay, some hous-
es have even been burnt by this means ; for, a foul
chimney, taking lire, has been frequently known to
communicate, by these apertures, to empty apart-
ment's filled with timber, \\ here, of course, it wa.>> not
thought iiiTfssary to make any examination, after
extinguishing the fire in the chimney where it began.
71. Y. n- Method of clearing Feather* front the ii
imal Oil.
Take, for every gallon of clear water, a pound of
quick lime; mix them well together; and, when the
undissolved lime is precipitated in fine powder, pour
oft* the clear lime-water for use at the time it is wan-
GlLDJX-G. 73
^ccl. Put the feathers to be cleaned in another tub,
nnd add to them a sufficient quantity of the clear
lime-water (o cover the feathers about three inches,
when well immersed and stirred therein. The fea-
thers, when thoroughly moistened, will sink down,
and should remain in the lime-water three or four
-days : after which, the foul liquor should be sepa-
rated from the feathers, by laying them on a sieve.
The feathers should be afterwards well washed in
clean water, and dried on nets, the meshes bein<r
O
about the same fineness as those of cabbage nets.
The feathers must, from time to time, be shaken on
the nets : and, as they dry, they will fall through
the meshes, and are to be collected for use* The
admission of air will be serviceable in the drying,
and the whole process may be completed in about
-three weeks. The feathers, after being thus pre
pared, will want nothing more than beating for use,
either for beds, bolsters, pillows, or cushions.
72. To preserve the natural Colour in Petals of dri-
ed Flowers.
Nothing more is necessary than to immerse the
petals for some minutes in alcohol. The colours
will fade at first ; but in a short time tfrey will re-
sume their natural tint, and remain permanently
fixed.
73. Art of gilding Iron or Steel.
Dissolve in aqua regia, with the assistance of a
little heat, as much gold as willfully sa'uirnte it:
then, adding cream of tartar, form it into a paste.- -
Any bright piece of steel or iron, snch as the blade
of a knife or razor, &c. being first wetted with wa-
ter, or saliva, and then rubbed with this paste, will
be instantly gilded in a beautiful manner; after
v/hich it is to be washed with c old water, If a thick-
er coat of gold be desired, gold leaf may be laid on,
*nu -burnished hard, when it will adhere to the first
G
7-4 WSEFVL AK1>
gilding; and, if the nature of the thing gilded \\ili
admit of heat, by warming it, but not so as to be-
come red hot, and then burnishing it. anv thickness
Lj J ^
of gilding may be easily added.
74. Method of Dry Gilding.
Dry gilding, as it is called by some workmen, is a
light method of gilding, by steeping linen rags in a
solution of gold, then burning them ; and with a
piece of cloth dipped in salt water, rubbing the ash-
es over silver intended to be gilt. This method re-
quires neither much labor, nor much gold, and may
be employed with advantage for carved work and
ornaments. It is not, however, durable.
75. Composition for gilding /j/v/^ or <S7;-."r.
Take two ounces of gum-lac, two ounces of ka-
i-abe, >r yellow amber, forty grains of dragoi;'-
!ood in tears, half a drachm of saffron, and forty
ounces of good spirits of wine : infuse and dige.st
.he whole in the usual manner, and afterwards strain
it through a linen cloth : when the varnish is used,
the piece of silver or brass must be heated brfon
- applied : by this means it will assume a gold col-
our, which is cleaned, when soiled, with a little
warm water.
76. To make Shell Gold.
Take the paring of leaf gold, or even the lenv-
.emselvcs. and reduce them into r.-n impalpable
powder, by grinding them on a marble with honey ;
put this into shells where it will stick and dr\ :
when you want to use it, dilute it with gum water.
N. B. Shell silver is made the same way.
77. To clean Gold and restore its Lustre.
Dissolve a little sal-ammoniac in urine ; boil your
soiled gold therein, and it will become clean and
'
USEFUL ARTS.
i
7C. To silver Glass Globes.
Take two ounces of quicksilver, one ounce of
bismuth, of tin and lead haff an ounce of each : first
put the tin and lead in fusion, then put in the bis-
muth, and when you perceive all in fusion, let it
stand till almost cold, arid then pour in the quick-
silver.
After this take the glass globe, which must be
very clean, and the inside free from dust, make a
paper funnel, which put in the hole of the globe,
as near the glass as you can, so that the amalgam,
when you pour it in, may not splash and spot the
glass : pour it in softly, and move it about that the
amalgam may touch every where ; if you find it
begin to be curdly, hold it over a gentle heat, and
it will flow again ; the cleaner and finer your globe
is, the looking-glass will be the better.
79. To cut Glass.
Take a red-hot shank of a tobacco-pipe, lay it on
the edge of your glass, which will then begin to
crack, then draw the shank end a litlle gently be-
fore, and it will follow any way you draw youv
hand.
80 Substitute for Hemp and Flax.-
As hemp and flax (lint) is now very high-priced,
if the public would turn their attention to the Urti-
ca Diocia (common nettle,) an excellent hemp
might be obtained from it, by cutting it just before
the seed is ripe, and steeping it in water, as they
do hemp or flax, and manufacturing it the same
ivay ; the root of the plant is esteemed to be diure-
tic, and the roots, boiled with alum, will dye yarn
a yellow colour. It is likewise used by making a
strong decoction of the young plant, and salt put to
it, and bottled up, which will coagulate milk, and
make it very agreeable ; by which means that plant.
76 PROCESS RELATING TO IRON.
which is an obnoxious weed, might be turncu to
good account.
USEFUL PROCESS RELATIVE TO IRON.
01. To braze or solder Pieces of Iron.
This is done by means of thin plates of bras?,
melted between the pieces that are to be joined.
If the work be very fin", ns when two leaves of a
broken saw arc to be brazed 'ogrther. cover it with
pulverized borax, melted with water; that it m:
incorporate with the brass powder which is added
to it: the piece must be then exposed to the fire
ui.'.o'.u touching the coals, and healed till the brass,
is see;: to run.
* :. ' dish Mrth .//',, ;>/>-< -ri'inff from Rust Iron
/Tc.7: ex j) a.-:* id to Air.
.ey take --iic-h a quantify of pitch and tar as they
think they have occasion fur, and mix up with it
uantity of (.he best sort of soot as not to
mnke it too thick for use : with this composition they
j>:iint or be. I'M :.:?.!! tl : : . the iron work, for
v.iiich purpose they make \'..^. of. horl hru'd l.;M:.-.h' .-,
because tlu-y must pro. s prciiy r^lr');)^!}' ii|;rn tin-
iron in order lo give iia sulQicient quantity, raid ihry
always choose to pr-rform t!:is operation in the
spring time of the year. bcc?'.isc the RiodonMe hrm
of the season hardens the pitch so much that it is
never melted by the succ*. ^ of the sum-
mer, but, on the contrary, aco'iires such a gloss as
to lock like varnish. This h:t* !>ccn foiiiid, by ex-
perience, to preserve iron from rust much better
than any sort of paint, and is as cheap as any that
can be made use of.
03. Composition that will eft't dually prevent Iron,
.SV. >/. vv'C.yV07/i rusting.
This method conM^t-? iu mixing, \viih fat. oil v:,:
USEFUL ARTS. 77
nish, four-fifths of well rectified spirit of turpentine.
The varnish is to be applied by means of a sponge ;
and articles varnished in this manner will retain their
metallic brilliancy, and never contract any spots of
rust. It may be applied to copper, and to the
preservation of philosophical instruments ; which,
by being brought into contact with water, are lia-
ble to lose their splendour, and become tarnished.
84. To prevent Steel or Iron from Rust..
Take one pound of hog's lard free from salt, one
ounce of camphirc, two drachms of black lead pow-
der, and two drachms of dragon's blood in fine pow-
der 5 melt the same on a slow fire until it is dissolv-
ed, and let it cool for use.
85. To prevent polished Hardware and Cutlery from
taking Rust.
Case-knives, snuffers, watch-chains, and other
small articles made of steel, may be preserved from
rust, by being carefully wiped after use, and then,
wrapped in coarse brown paper, the virtue of which
is such, that all hardware goods from Sheffield, Bir-
mingham, &c. are always wrapped in the same.
86. To clear Iron from Rust.
tf
Pound some glass to fine powder, and having nail-
eel some strong linen or woollen cloth upon a board,
lay upon it a strong coat of gnm water, and sift
theieoa some of your powdered glass, and let it
dry; repeat this operation three times, and when
the last covering of powdered glass is dry, you may
easily rub off the rust from iron utensils, with the
loth thus prepared.
C7. To soften Ivory and Boms*
Take sage, boil it in strong vinegar, strain the
decoction through a piece of close cloth ; and when
you have a mind to soften bones or ivory, steer*;
G 2
To USEFUL ARTS.
|
(hem in this liquor, and the longer they remain in i>
the softer they will grow.
88. Useful Hints to Lamplighters.
As many accidents happen in the winter time by
the sliding of ladders, the same would never occur,
if the following simple method was generally adopt-
ed. u If a strong nail was put in the top of the lad-
der, in an horizontal position, accidents could nev-
er happen, as, when the ladder slides, the nail
would catch the lamp iron."
09. Improved M'lhvd of taking off I/nprcssions of
Leaves, Plants, $-c.
Take half a sheet of fine wove paper, and oil it
ivell whh sweet oil ; after it has stood a minute or
two, to let it soak through, rub off the superfluous
oil with a piece of p;ipcr. and let it hang in the air
to dry ; after the oil is prUty well dried in, take a
lighted candle or lamp, and move thr- p;.per slowly
over it, in an horizontal -'in', lion, so as t<> touch
the thuno, till it is perfect!} b!:ick. When you wish
to take offinopressions of plant-. l;iy your plant care-
fully on the uiii-d p.-.pf.T. and lay a piece of clean
paper over it, i"ni rub it with your finger, e<|u;dly
in :dl parts, for about half a minute ; then take up
your plant, and be careful not to disturb the order
of the leaves, nn! place it on the book or paper, on
which you wish to have the impression ; then cover
it \vith a piece of blotting-paper, and nib it with your
finger fr a short time, and yu will have an impres-
sion superior to the finest engraving. The same
piece of bhuk puper will serve to take off a great
number of impressions ; so that when you have once
gone through the process of blacking it, you may
make an impression in a very short time.
The principal excellence of this method is, that
ihc paper receives the impression of the most rni-
auto veins and hairs 5 so that you may take the ge-
USEFUL ARTS, 79
neral character of most flowers, much superior to
any engraving. The impressions may afterwards
be coloured according to nature.
90. To obtain the true Shape and Fibres of a Leaf*
Rub the back of it gently with any hard sub-
stance, so as to bruise the fibres ; then apply a
small quantity of linseed oil to their edges ; after
which, press the leaf on wJiite paper, and, upon re-
moving it, a perfectly correct representation of eve-
ry ramification will appear, and the whole may b^
coloured from the original*
O
91. Another way.
This may be called printing of a leaf, and is ef-
fected by carefully touching the fibres with one of
those balls, lightly covered with printer's ink, and
impressing it on wet paper. This is done to most
advantage by a round stick, covered with woollen
cloths, rolled backwards and forwards over the pa-
per and leaf.
92. To whiten Linseed Oil.
Take any quantity of linseed oil, and to every
gallon add two ounces of litharge ; shake it up eve-
ry day for fourteen days, then let it settle a day or
two ; pour oif the clear into shallow pans, the same
as dripping pans, first putting half a pint of spirits
of turpentine to- each gallon. Place it in the sun,
and in three days it will be white as nut oil. This
oil, before it is bleached, and without the turpen-
tine, is far superior to the best boiled oil, there be-
ins no waste or offensive smell.
o
93. Sophistication of Oil of La-vender and all Essen-
tial Oils.
These valuable oils are frequently adulterated by
a mixture of oil of turpentine, which may be kn^vvn.
by dipping a little paper, or rag, in the oil to be
USEFUL ART-.
tried, and holding it to the fire, the fine scented <
will last evaporate, and leave the smell of the tur-
pentine distinguishable, if any has been mixed
therewith.
94. Simple Way of determining the exact Time nf
JVoorc, and to obtain a Meridian Line, on a small
Scale.
Near the top of a room, facing the south, fix a
plate of metal, with a circular hole in if. for the sun
to shine through, from ciirht or nine o'clock in the
O ' v3
morning until three or four in the afternoon : then.
O
by means of a line and a plummet, determine the
point upon the floor, which is directly under the
centre of the hole, and from that point, as a cen-
tre, draw several concentric circl- -. Having made
choice O!'M>:IH: clear day near the summer solstice,
make the room nearly dark, and about three or four
hours before and jifternoon. mark the points where
the northern. n.- also the s^u'licm limit of the sun's
image cross those semicircles, and thr-rc will be
sever,:! curves included between these points,
hro'.i-'h the middle of which a right line being drawn
;hc centre of ihe semicircles, is a meridian line,
the lir.e has been dr;,\\n in this manner, it
must be examined by succeeding observations, and
corrected, if necessary, by which means a line may
drawn exceedingly near the true meridian.
Practical (.)'< /;:///'?*.<? v?i the above.
1. The ! phiic, which may be about or
ih of an inch thick, must be placed p;>r:illel to tl
axis of the world, that the sun's rays may pass pci
pendicularly through it when he is in the equator.
2. The aperture need not be more than one-fifilt
of an inch in diameter, if it be counteisunk on both
sides, to admit the inn's rays to flow through it at
the distance of three or four hours before, and .
noon,
USEFUL ARi -.
J- If the surface of the floor, on which the obser-
vations are to be taken for finding the meridian, be
not sufficiently even, the floor may be covered with
new boards, taking the greatest caro- that they are
laid down perfectly horizontal from east to w.est.
After the line has been correctly drawn, and the
north and south ends of it marked upon the walls o'"
the room, the boards mav be taken away, and oth-
v W *
ers laid down to draw the lines upon.
A meridian line, upon a small scale, but sufii-
eiently correct for regulating clocks and watches,,
may be had by the following method :
Let a stone, with an even surface, about three
feet long and two broad, be fixed horizontally upon
a brick or stone pillar, at a convenient height for
observation, with one of its ends facing the south,
Near the middle of this end of the stone fix a gno-
mon in a direction perpendicular to the horizon.
This gnomon, which should be made of a strong
bar of metal, must have a small aperture through it ?
for the sun's rays to flow through early in the morn-
ing and late in the evening. From that point, as a
centre, which is directly under this aperture, draw
several concentric semicircles, and fix the meridian
line according to the preceding directions. The
gnomon should have several other holes made
through it in a line perpendicular to the horizon, that
the sun's rays at noon, flowing through some of
them, may fall near the north end of the stone at all
seasons of the year;, for, if only one hole be used,
the sun's image will fall near the centre of the gno-
mon in the summer, and in the winter it will be
thrown far beyond the north end of the stone.
05. German Method of making Elm and Maple
Wood resemble Mahogany.
Having very smoothly planed whatever boards
of the elrn or maple tree are intended to be used for
the purpose of appearing like mahogany, w.ash then:
USEFUL ARTS'.
v.-cll with a little aquafortis diluted in common
tcr. Then take a few drams of dragon's blood, ac-
cording to the quantity which maybe wanted in tlv
whole, with half as much alkanet root, and a quar-
ter of as much aloes, and digest these ingredients
in four ounces of proof spirit to every dram of the
dragon's blood. As soon as the boards arc dry,
varnish them over with this tincture, by means of ;i
sponge or soft painter's brush; and they will, it is
said, ever after s<5 wear the appearar.ee of mahoga-
ny as to deceive the eye of any indifferent observer*
9G. Substitute for Mahogany.
The difficulty of procuring mahogany and other
precious woods, and the consequent exorbitant
prices demanded for the ordinary articles of family
convenience, has occasioned the art of the cheih
to lc pppli^d (o a subject peculiarly calculated to
promote domestic embellishment at a trifling ex-
pense. It has been contrived to render any spe-
f ies of wood of a close grain, so nearly to resemble
rnu!i<-._;:uiy in the texture, density, and polish, that
the most accurate nidjys rrc incapable of distin-
guishing between this happy imitation, and the "na-
tive produce. The first operation, as now pra-. tis-
ed in France, is to plane the surface, so as to render
it perfectly smooth ; the wood i> th--n to be rubbed
with diluted nitrous acid, v . i pi iares it for the
materials subsequently to bo np[:.i '. Ai'' . ds
one ounce and a half of (Img-n'^ I ' .. nvcd
in a pint of spirits of wine, and 0110 i ii.nl of that
quantity of carbonate of , soda, are to be; mixed to-
gether, and filtered > and the liquid, in this thin
state, is to be rubbed, or rather laid, upon the wood,
with a soft brash. This process is repeated with
very little alteration, and in a short interval after-
wards, the wood possesses the external appearance.
of mahogany. When this application has be-
properly made, the surface will resemble an
-SFUL ARTS. 83
cial mirror ; but if the polish become less brilliant,
by rubbing it with a little cold drawn linseed oil, the
wood will be restored to its former brilliancy.
97. To clarify Quills.
Scrape off the outer film, and cut the ends off ;
then put the barrels into boiling water, wherein is
a small quantity of alum and salt ; let them remain
a quarter of an hour, and then dry them in a hot
pan of sand or an oven.
98. To harden Quills.
In order to harden a quill that is soft, thrust the
barrel into hot ashes, stirring it till it is soft 5 and
then taking it out, press it almost flat upon your
knee with the back of a pen-knife, and afterwards
reduce it to a roundness with your fingers. Another
method to harden quills is by setting water and alum
over the fire, and while it is boiling, put in a hand-
ful of quills, the barrels only, for a minute, and then
lay them by.
99. Dutch Method of preparing Goose Quills f (ft
if ing.
The process consists in immersing the quill, when
plucked from the wing of the bird, it; to water al-
most boiling ; to leave it there till it becomes sufli-
ciently soft to compress it, turning it on its axis with
.e back of the blade of the knife. This kind of
i'riction, as well as the immersions in water, being
continued till the barrel of the quill be transparent,
and the membrane, as well as the greasy kind of
covering, be entirely removed, it is immersed a last
time to render it perfectly cylindrical, which is per-
formed with the index finger and the thumb ; it is
then dried in a gentle temperature.
100. Substitute for Curriers Oil.
A cheap substitute for the oil used by curriers ia
-6-i VSEF'CL !
'ho preparation of leather, is made by boiling whale-
oil for a few minutes, at a temperature of twenty-
five degrees Reaumcr, with nitric acid, in the pro-
portion of half an ounce of the acid to a pound of
oil.
101. To rfpair Roads near to Coal Mines*
The roads to and from coal mines are usually in
bad condition from the heavy loads passing in curls
>vcr them. The late Duke of Bridgewater, to re-
iir them, adopted, with great success, the follow-
ing plan, p.t VVorsley, in Lancashire. The stones.
i. lay, and rubbish, first raised from the shaft, were
laid in a large heap above ground ; then, such in-
' riorcoal, pyrites, or shale, as was unfit for sale,
ir.d usually thrown away, was laid in another near
: a third heap was raided from a mixture made by
ving repeated layers from the above two heaps.
, alum super stratum, and this heap, set on fire in
: h a direction that the wind would assist the fire
to pciv trnte if throughout. The mass, when burnt,
formed a compound of half vitrified substances, and
abundantly suppled good materials for his drag-
paths along the canal, and enabled him to sell the
surplus advantageously for the repair of the turnnikc-
roads in that neihbourhood.
10-2. Easy Method of making a :i:/>onaccoufi /V,,
which may lc. used instead of Solutions (>f Soap for
Jl'usli i . _' .
Take the ashes produced from the combustion of
od \\hichhas not been floated, and make a ley of
them, according to the usual manner, mixing with
ihc ashes a handful or two of quick lime, well pound-
ed or recently slacked.. Let the ley staryl till it is
grown clear by the settling or swimming of the for-
eign substances contained therein ; then pour it into
another vessel, and keep it for use. When it is
proposed to malic use of this ley, take any quantity
USEFUL ART 3. 85
of oil, and pour upon it thirty or forty times as much
as of the ley. Immediately a liquor, white as milk,
will be formed, which, by beings-well shaken, or
stirred, lathers and froths like a good solution of
soap. This liquor is to be poured into a washing
tub, or other vessel, and to be diluted with a great-
er or less quantity of water ; after which, the linn,
meant to be washed, is to be steeped therein, to be
rubbed and wrung in the usual wav.
LJ /
Observations on the foregoing Receipt.
1. It is better that the ley should not be made
until the time when it is to be used ; if it is left to
stand in open vessels, its power is weakened, and its
nature changed.
2. Fresh wood-ashes are preferable to old ones,
particularly if the latter have been exposed to the
air; in that case they have no longer their usual
power; and in order to make them serve the pur-
pose, mix with them a greater proportion of quick
lime.
3. Those ashes arc preferable which are pro-
duced from hard wood : those which are left after
the burning of floated wood, cannot be made use of
with equal success.
4. Fat oils, of a thick consistence, are most pro-
per for the purpose here spoken of; fine thin oils
are by no means fit for it.
If stinking oil be made use of it is apt to give a
bad smell to the linen : this mny be removed by
passing the linen carefully through a strong pure
ley ; but, in general, this smell goes off as the linen
becomes dry.
6. When the mixture of the oil with the ley is of
a yellow colour, it must be diluted with water.
7. When the oil rises in the ley, and swims upon
the surface of it, in the form of small drop?, it shews
that the oil is not fit for the purpose, not being thick
enough ; or else, that the ley is too \vcak, or not
sufficiently caustic.
H
06 L'5EI'l L A P. . '
8. To prevent the quick lime from losing it.-.
power, and to have always some in use when want-
ed, it may be broken into small piece-, and kept
in bottles well dried and well corked, or in bar-
rels.
103. Method of extracting Starch from Horse Chcs-
nuts.
First take off the outward green prickly husks,
and then, cither by hand, with a knife, or other tool,
or else with a mill adapted for that purpose, very
carefully pare off the brown rind, being particular
not to leave the smallest speck, and to entirely era-
dicate the sprout or growth. Next take the nuts,
and rasp, grate, or grind them fine into water, ei-
ther by hand, or by a mill adapted for that purpose.
The pulp, which is thereby formed in this water,
must be washed as clean as possible through a
coarse horse-hair sieve, then again through a finer
sieve, and again through a still finer, constantly ad-
ding clean water to prevent any starch adhering
the pulp. The last process is to put it with a kirgr
quantity of water (about four gallons to a pound of
starch) through a fine gau/r. muslin, or lawn, so a-
entirely to clear it of all bran or other impuriiir- :
as soon as it settles, pour olVlhe water; then mix it
up with clean water, repeating this operation till it
no longer imparts any green, yellow, or other colour
to the water; then drain it off till nearly dry, and si i
it to bake, cither in the usual mode of baking starch,
or else spread out before a brisk fire, being very at-
rcntive to stir it frequently to prevent its hornin
that is to say, turning to a paste or jelly, which, on
being dried, turns hard like horn. The whole pro-
cess should be conducted as quickly as possible.
104. To dissolve Wax in Water.
To every pound of white wax take twenty-four
ounces of pot-ash dissolved in a gallon of warm wa-
ter; that is caustic ley of pot-ash, made with quick
USEFUL ARTS. S?
lime. In this boil the wax. cut in small pieces, for
half an hour ; at the end of this time take it from
the fire, and suffer it to cool. The wax floats on
the surface in the form of white soap ; triturated
with water it yields what is commonly called milk
of wax, and may be applied to furniture, pictures,
&c. An hour alter the application, the coated parts
are to be rubbed with a piece of woollen cloth,
which will give a great brilliancy to paintings, and
a fine polish to furniture.
105. ' To make Wafers.
Take very fine flour, mix it with the glair, (or
whites) of eggs, isinglass, and a little yeast ; mingle
the materials, beat them well together, spread the
batter, being made thin with gum water, on even
tin plates, and dry them in a stove ; then cut them
for use. You may make them of what colour you
please, by tinging the paste with Brazil or vermil-
lion for red ; indigo or verditer, &c. for blue ; saf-
fron, turmeric, or gamboge, &c. foryellow*
CHAPTER IV.
BIRD -CATCHING,
10G. Method of making the best sort of Bird Lime,
and manner of using it.
Take, at midsumer, the bark of holly, and peel
from the tree so much of it as will fill a moderately
large vessel ; then put to it running water, and set
it over the fire, and boil it till the gray and white
bark rise from the green, which will take up sixteen
hours ; then separate the barks after the water is
>rell drained away : then take all the green -bark.
. v ,5 EIRD-CATCHIXG.
and lay it on the ground in a close place and moist
floor, and cover it over with green weeds, as hem-
Jocks, docks, thistles, and the like ; thus let it lay
'ten or twelve days, in which time it will rot, and
turn to a filthy, slimy matter ; then put it into a mor-
-iar, and beat it till it becomes universally thick and
tough, without the discerning cf any part of the bark
or substance ; then take it cut of the mortar and car-
ry it to a running stream, and there wash it well,
-not leaving any foulness about it ; then put it up in
a close earthen pot, and let it stand and purge for
divers days together, scumming it as often as any
-foulness arises for four or five days ; when you per-
ceive no more scum, thru take it out of that pot and
,put it into anoth-.T clean earthen vessel, cover it
close, and keep it for use.
When you \\ant to u-c your lime, take what'
;'.iantity you think fit, r t nd put it into a pipkin, ad-
ding a third part of goose or capon's grease, finely
clarified, and set them over a gcr.tle fire ; let them
melt together, and stir them continually, till they
are well incorporated ; then take it from the fire,
and stir it till it be cold.
When your lime is cold, take your rods and warm
them a little over the fire ; then take your lime and
v.'ind it about the tops of your rods, then draw your
lods asunder one from the other, and close them
again, continually plying and working them togeth-
er, till, by smearing one upon another, you have
equally bestowed upon each rod a builkient pro-
portion of the lime.
If you lime any strings, do it when the lime is
very hot, and at the thinnest, besmearing the strings
on all sides, by folding them together and unfolding
Them as;ain.
O
If you lime straws, it must be done likewise when
the lime is very hot, doiis;; a great quantity togeth-
ir, as many as you can well grasp in )our hand,
them and work i MI: them before the fire till
BIRD-CATCHING. 89'
they are all besmeared, every straw having its due.
proportion of lime. Having so done, put them in
cases of leather till you have occasion to use
them.
To prevent the freezing of your lime, either on
twigs, bushes, or straws, you must^add a quarter as
much of the oil of petroleum as of capon's grease,
mixing them well together, and then work it on your
rods, &c. ; and so it will ever keep supple, tough,
and gentle, and will not be prejudiced should the.
weather freeze ever so hard.
107. Experienced method of catching Larks,
The common way of taking larks, of which so
many are used at our tables, is in the night, with
those nets which are called trammels. These are
usually made of thirty-six yards in length, and about
six yards over, with six ribs of packthread, which,
at the ends are put upon two poles of about sixteen
feet long, and made lesser at each end. These are
to be drawn over the groand by two men, and every
live or six steps the net is made to touch the ground,
otherwise it will pass over the birds without touch-
ing them, and they will escape. When they are
felt to fly up against the net, it is clapped down,
and they are all safe that are under it. The dark-
est nights are properest for this sport ; and the net
will not only take lark?, but all other birds that
roost on the ground, among which are woodcocks,
snipes, partridges, quails, fieldfares, and several
others.
103. Another Method.
In the depth of winter, people sometimes take
great numbers of larks by nooses of horse-hair. -
The method is this : take 100 or 200 yards of
packthread ; fasten, at every six inches, a noose
made of double horse-hair ; at every twenty yards -
the line is to be pegged down to the ground, anclsQ
Q
.-=*(
'JO ULEACHING.
left ready to take them. The time to use this i^
when the ground is covered with snow, and the
larks are to be allured to it by some white oats
scattered all the way among the nooses. They
must be taken awav as soon as three or four are
hung, otherwise ibe rest will be frighted; but tho'
the others are scared where the sportsman comes,
they will be feeding at the other end of the line,
and the sport may be thus continued for a long
time.
CHAPTER V.
1 09. M'tJiod of bleaching Straw.
Dip the straw in a solution of oxygenated mui-i-
atic acid, saturated with potash. (Oxygenated mu-
riate of lime is mm h cheaper.) The straw is thus
Pondered very white, and its llrxi!.iili:\ i* increased.
110. Efficacy of Horst Ckesnuti '/> filed- Limn
andvlcarin '.' i -ll> n $tnj\--, and as a Ley for pre-
paring ll'irtj/.
The mamur of making this ley is to peel the
chrsnuN. and ra-p t;v"-i?i as fmc as possible into soft
water. This i^ done ten or twelve hou v s before the
anivture is to be used ; and, in the mean while, it is
stirred from time to time, the better to dissolve
these raspings and impregnate the water. The IdSt
stirring is given about a quarter of an hour before
the water is drawn off from the thickest part of the
raspings which subside ; and this is Jone either by
inclining the vessel and pouring off the ley gently,
or by ladling it out by hand, while the water is yet
BLEACHING.
.-., t ite, and froths like soap-suds. In order to use
this ley, it is made rather hotter than the hand can
well bear, and the hemp is then steeped and wash-
ed in it as in soap-suds. Linen may also be washed
in this ley, and even when very dirty much less
soap will be required than L- commonly used, it be-
intr sufficient to rub the dirtiest parts only with soap.
The raspings- of the chesuuts r which sink to the
bottom of the ley, are good for fowls and pigs.
Hemp, as above prepared, may be dyed like silk,
wool, or cotton, a-nd may be made into stuff and
garments of all kinds ; a great advantage attending
the use of this material is, that it will not be de-
stroyed by those insects which devour woollen
cloth.
111. To bleach Bees-Wax.
Melt your wax, and while hot throw it into cold
water to reduce it into little bits, or spread it out in-
to very thin leaves, and lay it out to the air, night
and day, on linen cloths, then melt it over again,
and expose it as before : repeat this nil the sun and
dew have bleached it ; then, for the last time, melt
it in a kettle, and cast it with a h J!e on a table cov-
ered over with little round hollows, in the form of
the cakes sold by the apothecaries ; but first wef
your moulds with cold water, that the wax be the
easier got out; lastly, lay .them out in the air for
two days and two nights, to make it more transpa-
rent and drier,
BOOKS,
CHAP. VI.
BOOKS.
I 12. For taking great* out of the leaves of Boekg.
Fold up in two small bags, made of fine open
muslin, some ashc> of burnt bones, finely powdered,
or of calcined hartshorn, which is always ready
prepared at the shops of the druggists ; lay the bags
of muslin, containing the powder, one on each side
of the greasy leaf; and having heated a pair of fire
tongs, or hair-dressers pinching longs, of a mode-
rate warnuh. press with them the two bags against
the greasy -pot. :tnd hold them some time in that
situation. Repeat the process, if nccc-sary.
\\ hen ilin irons cannot be conveniently used, the
powder may be heated over the fire, in a clean car-
?hcn vessel; and, whilst hot, applied, without any
rnu.'lins, on each side of the grease spot, and u
weight laid on it to assist its effect.
i 13. J\Itthod of cleaning dirty Prints or Books.
If the print should be pasted upon canvas, put i
into a copper or kettle of water just boiling ; and in
three or four minutes it will easily separate from the
canvas; next expose it to the sun, by placing it on
:t grass plat, and. to prevent the wind from having
any eilect upon it, so as to tear it, or blow it away,
fix four skewers into ;he ground near the corners,
and tie a string to each of the skewers, crossed from
corner to corner, so as to confine it completely ;
\vhen it becomes dry, wet it again thoroughly; and
so on for several days, if necessary, in the same
manner as you bleach linen ; in which operation,
as well as in bleaching* prints, a hot sun is best. If
the foulness of ihe print should seillc in spots ; soak
BOOKS. 9>3
those spots well by putting wet linen rags doubled
upon them for a considerable time. If soaking in
this manner does not get the spots out, put the print
into hot water, gently boiling, or very near it, and
let it continue for twenty-four hours ; but if the pa-
per be spongy, OF very thin, it will not bear soaking
so long. Soaking in this manner is seldom neces-
sary. The foulness from flies may be gently brush-
ed offwith a wet sponge, when the print is thorough-
ly soaked. Spirit of sea salt, much diluted, will
get white-wash off prints : take care not to hold
your nose over the vapor of the spirit. Do not
leave your prints on the grass-plat at night, for fear
of the worms.
114. To make strong, or Book-Binders Paste.
Mix wheaten flour, first in cold water, then boil
it till it be of a glutinous consistence; this method
makes common paste. When you wish it to be of
a stronger nature, mix a fourth, fifth, or sixth of the
weight of the flour of powdered alum ; and where it
is wanted of a still more tenacious quality, add a
little powdered, rosin.
115. To marble Books or Paper.
Marbling of books or paper is performed thus :
Dissolve four ounces of gum arable in two quarts of
fair water; then provide several colours mixed with
water in pots or shells, and with pencils peculiar to,
each colour ; sprinkle them by way of intermixture
upon the gum water, which must be put into a
trough, or some broad vessel ; then, with a stick,
curl them, or draw them out in streaks to as much
variety as may be done. Having done this,, hold
your book, or books, close together, and only dip
the edges in, on the top of the water and colours, ve-
ry lightly ; which done, take them off, and the plain
impression of the colours in mixture will be upon
tho leaves : doins; as well the ends as the front of
34 BREWI'.'v..
the book in the like manner, and afterwards .
ing the colours.
CHAPTER VII.
BREWING,
AND MANAGEMENT OF 3IALT LIQI'On
J 1G. Niceties in J\Li!ting, the Observance of which
will increase (he profits of the J\Ialtster near Ten
per Cent.
In ma I tin a; baric v. the water should be changed
oftenest in spring and autumn, when the weather is
warm: if b:rley is left to steep too long nt these
seasons i'i the same water, the water will grow
slimy, and sometimes sour: the maltster should
therefore watch the change of ihe water, and when
he finds it smooth or oily to the touch, or inclining
to smrll or taste sour, it must be changed immedi-
ately.
The common method of changng it, is first to
draw offtluit in which the barley was steeping, r.nd
then by pumping or puils full, fill the cistern again:
but this is a bad way. for when the water is drawn
ojl'the barley lies closer, and is apt to hcut, which
causes great damage. It is therefore recommended
to get a hogshead of water in readiness near the
cistern, which should be thrown on the barley the
instant the first water is drawn o!f; and as a hogs-
head of water is sufficient to wet eight bushels of
barley, as many hogsheads, save one, should be af-
terwards added, as the cistern will wet.
River water is the best, and hard spring water is
the worst: in general the water that soofte*! ! ^
should be preferred.
BP.E \nifG,
'A thin-skinned fine-coated barley is the best for
making malt ; it need not be very full-bodied, but
should be quite ripe.
Barley that has grown on land highly manured is
not so good as that produced on a land moderately
rich without manure ; and if the soil is very luxuri-
ant, either ?by nature or art, the barley will not be
fit for the maltster.
It is a good practice to give malt as much drying
as possible on the floor; it does not shrink so much
_as on the kiln, and acquires no foreign taste ; when
it comes to the kiln, the fire in the furnace should
be moderate, but equal.
Brown malt, used in the same proportion as pale,
will not make the strongest beer; but the pale malts
that are slack dried, make a raw unwholesome li-
quor lhat will not keep.
Maltsters should never buy barley grown on va-
rious soils, or even different fields, because the
kerns will spire at different times ; they should
therefore never buy tythe barley. A maltster hav-
ing bought one hundred quarters of tythe barley,
without knowing it, soon discovered it in the malt=
ing, and sold it to a hog-feeder for eight-pence a
quarter less than he gave, as the least loss he should
incur by his bargain.
To discover whether mall has been made of mix-
ed or unripe barley, throw a couple of handfuls of
it into a bowl of water ; stir it gently, and the grains
that have not. been malted will sink, the half-malted
grains will have one end sunk, and so swirrrin a
perpendicular position, and those that are perfectly
malted will swim. The best barley will not malt
equally well at all times. As soon as housed, be-
fore it is in sweat, and after the sweating is over, it
will malt well, but not while it is in sweat.
Barley that has been got in early in a very dry
season malts but indifferently ; but if the same bar-
ley is left abroad till rain fulls on it to loosen the
BREWING.
liusks from the kernel, it will malt well, and yield a
large increase.
117. Method of extracting the virtue of Hops in
Brewing*
The usual methoe is to put in hops without any
preparation into the strong beer or ale wort : the
consequence is, the richer and better the wort is,
the less it will partake of the essence of the hops.
The rich fat wort sheathes up the pores of the hop,
and, as it were, embalms the leaves, so that the
beer or ale wort can extract scarcely any part of the
necessary quality of the hop : but when it is put in-
to the small beer wort, a fluid of a more thin na-
turo. there the pores arc unsheathed, and the small
brer i^ rendered too bitter; therefore the hops, be-
fore thi ;, arc put into the strong drink, should be
previously soaked w a pail of hot water.
To confirm the truth of this observation, take a
r of an ouacc of the best c;i\ en tea, and in-
stead of pouring on it simple boiling water, let the
watt T have the same quantity of sugar boiled in it
th.it would be nccc.s-.ary to sweeJfn -o much tea
v\hen made, and you will find that the sweetness of
flie water will prevent its extracting the grateful
1/iitcr of the tea.
i 1 .". Cheap and carij 3 Id hod of J>
< NIC bushel of malt, and three quarters of a p.-.i
of hops will, on an average, brew twenty gallons
;o<;d !>ecr.
Fur this quantity of malt, boil twenty-four gal-
lons of water; and having dashed it in the copper
with cold water to stop the boiling, steep the malt
(properly covered up) for three hours ; then tie up
the hops in a hair cloth, and boil malt. Imps, and
wort, ail together, for three quarters of an hour,
which will reduce it to about twenty galls. /din
it oil, and set it to work when lukewarm.
BRfiWIXG. B7
111 large brewings this process perhaps would not
answer, but in small ones, where the waste is not so
Great, and where the malt can be boiled, the essence.
i
is sure to be er^tracted.
119. To make excellent and wholesome Table Beer.
To eight quarts of boiling water put a pound of
treacle, a quarter of an ounce of ginger, and two
bay leaves ; let this boil for a quarter of an hour,
then cool, and work it with yeast, the same as other
beer.
120. Uses of Ground hy in Ale,
The leaves thrown into the vat with ale clarify
it, and give it an antiscorbutic quality. The expres-
sed juice mixed with a little wine, and applied
morning and evening, destroys the white specks on
horses' eves.
V
121. To make Ginger Beer.
To every gallon of spring water add one ounce of
sliced white ginger, one pound of common loaf su-
gar, and two ounces of lemon juice, or three large
tablespoonfuls : boil it near an hour, and takeoff
the scum; then run it through a hair sieve into a
tub, and when cool (viz. 70 degrees) add yeast in
proportion of half a pint to nine gallons ; keep it
in a temperate, situation two days, during which it
may be stirred sis or eight times ; then put it into a
cask, which must be kept lull, .;id the yeast taken
off at the bung-hole with a spoon. In a fortnight add
half a pint of fining (isinglass picked and steeped in
beer) to nine gallons, which will, if it has been pro-
perly fermented, clear it by ascent. The cask must
be kept full, and the rising particles taken off at the
bung-hole. When fine (which may be expected in
twenty-four hours) bottle it, cork it well, and in
r it will be ripe and fit to drink in a fortnight.
JJ BREWIXtr.
122. To make Yeast or Barm.
Mix two quarts of soft water with wheat fie
the consistence of thick gruel, or soft hasty pudding ;
boil it gently for half an hour, arid when almost
cold, stir into it half a pound of sugar, and four
spoonfuls of good yeast. Put it into a large jug, or
earthen vessel, with a narrow top, and place it be-
fore the fire, so that it may, by a moderate heat, fer-
ment. The fermentation will throw up a thin li-
quor, which pour off and throw away ; the remain-
der keep for use in a cool place in a bottle, or jug
lied over. The same quantity of common yeast will
suffice to bake or brew with. Four spoonfuls of
-his will make a fresh quantity as before.
-T23. Substitute for Harm or Ym>f.
[This receipt was presented to the October Meet-
ing of the Manchester Agricultural Society, held
at Altringham, 1309, by Charles Luwmls, Ksq.
when it was ordered that a copy should be print-
ed for each member.]
Boil two ounces of hops in four qunr's of water
iwonly minutes ; strain it. and whilst hot stir in h.iif
a pound of Hour; when milk-warm, mix half a pint
of good ale yeast, or a pint of this mixture, which
you should always reserve to keep a supply. "\Vhcn
nearly cold, bottle and cork it well, and keep it for
use in a cool place ; if too warm it would be apt to
ily ; you will judge of this by the season of the
) ear ; observe to fill the bottles onlv two thirds
full.
When used, put of it into the flour you intend for
bread, in the proportion of a pint to twenty-four
pounds, with water to make it of a proper warmth,
mix a little of the flour with it in the middle of the
mug, or kneading vessel ; it must be covered close,
and set in a tolerable warm place all night. Knead
it well in the morning, and let it stand some hours
longer to rise. It should be eighteen or twenty hours
BREWING. 99
from the nrst putting together, before your bread is
set into the oven.
124. To make Yeast In the Turkish Manner.
Take a small teacup-full of split or bruised peas,
and pour on it a pint of boiling water, and set it in
a vessel all night on the hearth, or any warm place.
The next morning the water will have a froth on it,
and be good yeast, and will make as much bread as
tv/o quartern loaves.
125. Easy Method of preserving Yeast.
Yeast may be preserved for a considerable time,
by coating a board with a whiting-brush, allowing
the coat to dry; then putting on another, which is
in like manner to dry 5 and so a third, and any num-
ber of successive coatings, which, when perfectly
dry, will keep vigorous for a long lime. Another
method is to whisk the yeast until it becomes thin,
and then to lay it upon a dry platter or dish, repeat-
edly, with a soft brush as above-mentioned. The
top is then to be turned downwards to keep out the
dust, but not the air which is to dry it. By this me-
thod it may be continued till it be two or three'
inches thick, when it may be preserved in dry tin
canisters for a long time good. When used for bak-
ing, a piece is to be cut off, and laid in warm water
to diffuse or dissolve, when it will be fit for use.
126. To make artificial Yeast.
Boil potatoes of the mealy sort till they are tho-
roughly soft ; skin and wash them very smooth, and
put as much hot water as will make the mash of the
consistency of common beer yeast, and not thicker.
Add to every pound of potatoes two ounces of
coarse sugar or treacle, and when just warm, stir in
it for every pound of potatoes two spoonfuls of
yeast; keep it warm till it has done fermenting, and
in twenty-four hours it may be used. A pound of
potatoes will make about a quart of yeast, and when
933946A
100 BREWING,
made will keep three months. Lay your bread eight
hours before you bake it.
N. B. Instead of water and sugar in the above
receipt, beer has been used, not Litter nor strong.
in the same proportion, and with equal if not be* ;
success.
127. Usefulness of the common Hazel-nut in fir civ -
In countries where vcnst is scarce, it is a common
practice to take the twigs of h , I. and twisting
them together so as to be full of < i links, to sleep
them in the ale-yeast during its fermentation ; th<
arc then lumg up to dry. r-.n 1 Lit the next brewing
they are put into the wort i i uf yeast. In Italy
the r!:ips nrr- frrq-y.-Mly put into turbid \\int-, for the
ose of clearing it. v. . is effected in twenly-
fuur hours.
128. T'i ( Irc'.ct the E <>f Mali fur Jlrncing.
After brewing, when the grains nre done with,
strew a small quantity r! unsiacked lime over the
same, with two or !h,rc< roots of horse-radish. This
ivill draw out all the rcmaini; _ -s from the
malt, and make a less quantity go farther llnin is
generally su] posed.
] JO. T'j jji-i vent /- erfrom urui^ln^Jl.jt.
In a cask, con tai . (ijiteen gallons of beer,
becoming vapid, put a pint of ground malt, suspend-
ed in a i . the bui,_ ..'lioctly; llie l->eer
v.-ill be improved during the v. !;o!e time of drawing
it for use.
130. Y'" ;;' ',- ' / sour D> r/\
A\ hen beer is become sour, add thereto some
oyster shells, calcined to whiteness, or, in place
thereof, a little line chalk or whiting. Any of these
will correct the aci lity. and make it bri.^k and
sparkling; but it should not be long kept after
such addition-, "thtrwi-c it will spoil.
BUILDING. 101
131. To restore pricked or stale Beer.
To about a quart of stale beer, put half a tea-
spoonful of salt of wormwood ; this will restore the
beer, and make it sparkle when poured into a glass,
like bottled porter.
CHAPTER VIII,
BUILDUP.
132. Artificial Stone Floors and Coverings for
Houses, as made in some parts of Russia.
The floors and coverings of houses, in some parts
of South Russia, are made in the following man-
ner : For a floor, let the ground be made even, and
some stones of any shape be put on, and, with a
heavy wooden rammer, force or beat the stones in-
to the ground, continuing to beat the floor till it be-
c5 ' O
come quite even, and incapable of receiving any
farther impression. Then run lime, immediately
after it has been slacked, through a fine sieve, as
cxpeditiously as possible, because exposure to the
air weakens the lime. Mix two parts of coarse
sand, or washed gravel, for there must be no earth
in it, with one part of lime powder, and wet them
with bullock's blood ; so little moist, however, as
merely to prevent the lime from blowing away in
powder ; in short, the less moist the better. Spread
it on the floor, and, without a moment's loss of time,
let several men be ready, with large beetles, to beat
the mixture, which will become more and more
moist by the excessive beating requisite. Then put
on it some of the dry sand and lime mixed, and
Beat.it till like a stone. If required to be very fine,
; ake for the next layer finely sifted lime, with about
1.2.
iOJ BtJILDlXG.
a tenth part of rye (lour, and a little ox blood ; beat
it till it becomes a very stiff mortar, and then smooth
it with a trowel. The next day again smooth it
with a trowel : and so continue to do, daily, till it
* ?
be entirely dry. When it is quite dry and bard, rub
it over with fresh ox blood, taking off all which it
will not imbibe. No wet will penetrate this compo-
sition, which, however, after some time, is often
painted with oil colours. The whole floor appears
as a single stone, and nothing will affect it. The
drier it is used, the better, provided that, with much
beating, it becomes like a very stiffmortar, and evi-
dently forms a compact body. On flat tops of
houses, the beetle, or rammers' ends must be smal-
ler, to prevent the rebounding of the boards and
limber, which would crack the cement; but, when
the thickness of a foot is laid on, it will beat more
firmly. A thin coating of ox blood, flour, and lime,
w ^3
being beat in large, strong, wooden troughs, or mor-
1 u 1 . till it can be spread with a trowel, may be used
without beating it again on the floor or house top;
but it must be very stiff, and used mostexpeclitious-
ly. Even frost will not affect it. AVith this compo-
sition, artificial stone may be madr. rammed very
hard into strong wooden frames of the required
shape; particularly to turn arches for buildings of
rammed earth. It is well known that earth which is
not too argillaceous, with only the moisture it has
when fresh dug, on being rammed between frames
of wood, till the rammer will no longer impress it,
makes eternal walls ; but a mass as hard as stone
maybe made with a little lime added to sand, horse
dung, and ox blood. The more the lime is beaten,
the moistcr it becomes ; and it must contain so
much moisture as to become, by beating, a solid
mass, adhering in all its parts, and not remain
crumbling, that will properly set as mortar. If there
]be too lit lie moisture at first, it will remain a pow-
der ; if there be too much, it will become a soft
BUILDING. 103
mortar. Lime is of no use, mixed with clay or ve-
getable earths ; which, if well beaten, are stronger
without it.
1 33. To ewe damp Walls.
Boil two quarts of tar, with two ounces of kitchen-
grease, for a quarter of an hour, in an iron pot.
Add some of this tar to a mixture of slacked lime
and powdered glass, which have passed through a
flour sieve, and been completely dried ovtr the fire
in an iron pot, in the proportion of two parts of"
lime and one of glass, till the mixture becomes of
the consistence of thin plaster. The cement must be
used immediately after being mixed, and therefore
it is proper not to mix more of it than will coat one
square foot of wall, since it quickly becomes too
hard for use; and care must be taken to prevent
any moisture from mixing with the cement. For a
wall merely damp, a coating one-eighth of an inch
thick is sufficient: but it' the wall is wet, there must
be a second coat. Plaster made of lime, hair, and
plaster of Paris, may afterwards be laid on as a ce-
ment. The cement above described w r ill unite the
parts of Portland stone or marble, so as to make
them as durable as they were prior to the fracture.
134. To increase the Durability of Tiles for cover-
*/ V >v
ing Buildings.
The following composition has been found to be
of extraordinary durability, as a glazing or varnish
for tiles. No sort of Weather, even for a consider-
able length of time, has had any. effect upon it. It
prevents that absorption of water, by which com-
mon tiles are rendered liable to crumble into dust,
hinders the shivering of tiles, and gives to red
bricks a soft lustre, by which their appearance is
much improved.
Over a weak fire heat a bottle of linseed oil, with
an ounce of litharge and a small portion of minium?
104 BUILDING.
till such time as a feather, used in stirring it, shall
be burnt to the degree of being easily rubbed to
powder between the fingers. Then take off the var-
nish, let it cool, cldrify it from any impurities which
may have fallen to the bottom, find heat it again.
Having, in the mean time, melted from three to four
ounces of pitch, mix this with the warm varnish.
The specific gravity of the pilch hinders it from
mingling thoroughly with the varnish, though it even
remain so long upon the fire as to be evaporated to
considerable thickness, h is not till the varnish be
cooled, nearly to the consistency of common syrup,
i hat this efii-ct takes place in the requisite degree.
If it be too thick, let hot varnish be added to bring
it to the propf-r consistency ; if it be too thin, add
melted pitch. Next, put in us much brick-dust as the
mixture can receive, without beins; made too thick
o
for convenient use. The finer iho brick-dust, and
the easier it is to be moved with the point of a pen-
cil, so much the fitter will it be to fill up the chinks
and uiirvcnnrss of the bricks, and, as it were, to in-
corporate i:<rlf with their substance. Prepare the
brick-dust in the following manner :- -Take a cer-
tain number of pieces of good brick, beat them in-
to dust, and .sift the dust in ;t hair sieve. Then, to
improve its fineness, rub it on a stone with water,
dry it, and mix it with the varnish in the necessary
proportion. If the- brick-dust be naturally of loo
dark a colour, a portion of some that is brighter may-
be added, to make the colour clean
It is to be laid on the tile in the same manner in
which oil colours in general are put upon the sub-
stances on which they are applied. The composi-
tion must be heated from time to time when it is to
be
BUILDING. 105-
135. Economical Method of employing Tiles for the
Roofs of Houses,
A French architect (M. Castala) has invented a
new method of employing tiles for the roofs of
houses, so as to save one half of the quantity usually
employed for that purpose. The tiles are made of a
square instead of an oblong form ; and the hook
that fastens them, is at one of the angles, so that,
when fastened to the laths, they hang down diago-
nally, and every tile is covered one fifth part on two
sides by the superior row.
136. To improve Chimney Fire Places, and increase
ike Heat, by a proper Attention to the Setting of
Stoves, Grates, &c.
The best materials for setting stoves or grates,
are fire-stone and common bricks and mortar. Both
materials are fortunately very cheap. When bricks
are used, they should be covered with a thin coat-
ing of plaster, which, when it is dry. should be white.
washed. The fire-stone should likewise be white
washed when that is used; and every part of the
lire-place, which is not exposed to being soiled and
made black by the smoke, should be kept as white
and clear as possible. As white reflects more heat,
as well as more lignt, than any other colour, it ought
always to be preferred for the inside of a chimney
fire-place ; and black, which reflects neither light
nor heat, should be most avoided.
137. To cure Smokey Chimnies.
Put on the top of the chimney a box, in each of
whose sides is a door hanging on hinges, and kept
open by a thin iron rod runtiing from one to the
other, and fastened by a ring in each end to a staple.
When there is no wind, these doors are at rest, and
each forms an angle of 45 degrees, which is decreas-
ed on the windward side in proportion to the force
of the wind, and increased in the same ratio on the
106 EtJILBIXG.
leeward side. If the wind be very strong, the c,
opposed to the wind becomes close, while the oppo-
site one is opened as wide as it can be. If the
wind strikes the corner of the box it shuts two
doors, and opens their opposites. This scheme has
been tried with success in a chimnev which always
*. '
filled the room with smoke, but which, since adopt-
ed', has never smoked the room at all. The expense
is trilling, and the apparatus simple.
138. ^ preparation .to preserve Wood from ca
fire, and to preserve It from Decay.
A member of the Royal Academy at Stockholm,
says, in the memoirs of that academy. ' Having
been within these few years to visit the alum mines
of Loswers, in the province of Calmar, I took no-
tice of some attempts made to burn the old stives
of tubs and pails that had been used for the alum
works. For this purpose they were thrown into the
f.irnace, but those pieces of wood which had been
penetrated by the alurn did nut b'irn. though they
remained for a long time in the fire, whore they on-
ly became r-.l ; 1: wever, at lnt they were consum-
ed by the i;i' 'iisenrs^ of the heat, but they yielded
no flame."
II': concludes, his experiment, that wood or
timber, for the purpo-'? of building, may be secured
against the action of fire, i>;> letting it remain for
sorno time in wi'tc-r. v.-Jicrfin vitriol, alum, or any
other salt '1:1- b. en <li~- !. ed, which contains no in-
flammable p-ji
To this exper.Mnnit it may be added, that wood,
which has been impregnated with water, wherein
vitriol has been dissolved, is very fit for resisting
putrefaction, especially if afterwrads it is brushed
over with tar, or some kind of paint ; in order to
this, the wood must be rubbed with very warm vi-
triol water, and afterwards left to dry, before it is
painted or tarred. Wood prepared in this manner
BUILDING. 10?
v/ili for a long lime resist the injuries of the air, and
be preserved in cellars and other low moist places.
It is to be observed, that if a dissolution of vitriol is
poured on such parts of timber where a sort of
champignons are formed by moisture, and rubbed
oif, none will ever grow there again.
By boiling, for some hours, the spokes of wheels
i i i
in vitriol water, they are not subject to rottenness
in the parts where they enter the stocks. After boil-
ing them in this manner, they are dried as perfectly
as possible, and then, in the accustomed way, paint-
ed with oil colour.
.139. Cheap and excellent Compaction for preserv-
ing Weather Boarding, Paling, and all other
Works liable to be injured by the. Weather.
Well burnt lime will soon become slacked by ex-
posure in the open air, or even if confined in a situ-
ation not remarkably dry, so as to crumble of itself
into powder. This is called air-slacked lime, in con-
tradistinction to that which is slacked in the usual
way, by being mixed with water. For the purpose
of making the present composition to preserve all
sorts of wood-work exposed to the vicissitudes of
the weather, take three parts of this air-slacked
lime, two of wood ashes, and one of fine sand ; pass
them through a fine sieve, and add as much linseed
oil to the composition as will bring it to a proper
consistence for working with a painter's brush. As
particular care must be taken to mix it perfectly, it
should be ground on a stone slab with a proper
niuller, in the same manner as painters grind their
white lead. &c. ; but where these conveniences are
not at hand, the ingredients may be mixed in a
large pan, and well beat up with a wooden spatula.
Two coats of this composition being necessary, the
first may be rather thin ; but the second should be
as thick as it can conveniently be worked. This
most excellent composition for preserving wood,.
BUILDING,
when exposed to the injuries of the weather, is high-
ly preferable to the customary method of laying on
tar and ochre.
140. To prevent the disagreeable ttiell arising from
House Drains.
As the diffusion of this noxious matter, within our
dwellings, tends to produce disease and mortality,
it cannot be too generally known that a cheap and
simple apparatus has been contrived for carrying
olF the waste water, &c. of sinks, and which at the
same time prevents the possibility of any air ever
returning back into the house from thence, or from
any drain which wiiay be connected with it. It is
known by the name of a ft ink trap* and is made in
br; k by every bricklayer in London.
Ml. .;< tl l\ ntl'i for
f.'t iv;it methods are adopted for ventilating, or
chaining the air of rooms. Thus,
.Mi-. TidJ admitted fresh air into a room by tak-
ing out the middle upper sash pane of g!;\s-. rn.d fix-
ing in its place a frame box with a round hole in it*
mi Kile, ab-niisix or seven inches diameter, in which
li-:lr- are i;x< !. behind each other, a set of sails, of
very thin, broad copper plates, which spread over
and cover the circular hole, so as to make the air.
winch enters the room, and turning round these
to ^pread round in thin sheets =idcw^- I so not
to incommode persons by blowing directly up<M
them, as it would do if it were not hindered bv f !
,'!s. This well-known contrivance has generally
!. rn employed in public buildings, br; i- \ r ry dj>-
' .iiile in gofid rooms; instead of it. therefore,
the late Mr. YY -hilt-hurst substituted another, which
was, to open a small square, or rectangular hole, i;i
;hc party wall of the room, in the upper part, near
-the ceiling, at a corner or part distant from the fire;
.before it he placed a thin piece of metal, or pa-
BUILDING. 103-
board, &c. attached to the wall in its lower part,
just before the hole, but declining from it upwards,
so as to give the air that enters by the hole, a direc-
tion upwards against the ceiling, along which it
sweeps, and disperses itself through the room, with-
out blowing in a current against any person. This
method is very useful to cure smoky chimnies, by
thus admitting, conveniently, fresh air. A picture,
placed before the hole, prevents the sight of it from
disfiguring the room.
142. To preserve Churches from Dilapidation.
The earth, next to the walls of a church, lying
higher in any part than the floor of it, is not only
very injurious to the walls, but to the vvainscoat
next to the same on the inside, by causing what is
absurdly called the dry rot, and, where there is no
wainscoat, producing a green moss. The water
from the eaves, where there is no parapet, should
be carried off by a spout, to extend much farther
than the length of the wall, to prevent the wind
from driving the wet against it. Where there are
parapets, it should be brought down close to the
wall, in leaden pipes, at the foot of which should be
a stone somewhat hollow, to prevent its penetrating,
and to throw it off from the wall ; a pipe should be
also continued from the roof of the steeple to that of
the church. These matters attended to, will prove
of great advantage to the sacred fabrics, and save
much expense in the repairs.
143. To make Red Coral Branches for embellish-
ing Grottos, and the Method of building a Grolto
at a very lliile Expense.
Dissolve clear rosin in a brass pan ; to one ounce
thereof add two drachms of the finest vermillion ;
and when you have stirred them well together, and
have chose your twigs and branches, peeled and
dried, take a pencil and paint these twigs all over,
K
110 CANARY BIRDS.
whilst the composition is warm, and shape them it
imitation of natural coral of black thorn ; when done,
hold it over a gentle coal fire, turn the branches a-
bout with your hand, and it will make it all over
smooth and even, as if polished. In the same man-
ner you may, with white lead, prepare white ; and
with lamp black, black coral.
A beautiful grotto may be built at a very little ex-
pense with glass cinders, which may easily be had,
-pebbles or pieces of large tlint, and embellish it
with such counterfeit coral, amber, pieces of look-
ing-glass, oyster, muscle, and snail shells, moss,
pieces of chalk, ore, &c. The cement to bind them
together is as follows : take two parts of white ro-
sin, melt it clear, add to it f four parts of bees' wax ^
when mixed together, add stone flower of the stone
you design to cement two or three parts, or so much
as will give the cement the colour of the stone; to
this add one part of flower of sulphur; first incor-
porate all together over a gentle fire, and afterwards
knead .it with your hands in warm water, with this
cement the stones, after they are well directed, and
have been warmed before the fire, in order to rc-
-cive the cement the better. (SVc also C/t /.//>. /. "v<
'1. Farm Buildings.)
CHAPTER IX.
CANARY BIRDS.
144. Breeding and Management of Canary Birds.
Canary birds, that are kept tame, will breed three
or four times in the year; they usually begin in A-
pril and breed in May and June, though sometimes
in July and August.
CANARY BJRD.
Towards the middle of March, begin to match
your birds, putting one cock and one hen in a small
cage : arid when they have been so long together,
that they are perfectly reconciled and well pleased
ivith each other, towards the end of March or the
beginning of April, put them into the breeding cage
for that use; let it be full large, so that the birds
may have the more room to fly and exercise them-
selves ; let there be two boxes in the cage for the
hen to build in, because she will sometimes hatch a
second brood before the first are fit to By, leaving
the care of them to the cock to feed and brine: them
o
up, whilst she breeds in the other box ; therefore it
she has not a spare box to build in she will be apf
to make her nest upon the birds, (as it sometimes
happens) and smother them, or build so near that
they will spoil one another. Whilst your birds are
pairing, feed them with soft meat, egg, bread, maw
seed, and a little scalded rape seed, hardly a third
part of egg; this last, and the bread, grated fine,
and so mix it together.
When they have young ones, give the same soft
victuals fresh every day, and let them have fresh
greens likewise, such as cabbage-lettuce, now and
then; but give them more constantly chick-weed
with seeds upon it: towards June, shepherd's
purse ; in July and August, plantain ; and before
they have young ones, give them groundsel, with
seed upon it.
I would recommend to such persons who breed
only a few birds for their own diversion, to use very
large cages, it being much the best way ; but those
who intend to breed a number should prepare a
room for that purpose.
Let the situation of it be such thaMhe birds may
enjoy the benefit of the morning sun, which is both
delightful and nourishing, and f let wire, instead of
glass, be at the windows, that they may have the
advantage of the air. which will add to their health,
1 1 "J CA.VARY BIRDS.
and make them thrive the better ; keep the floor of
the room clean, sometimes sifting fine gravel or
*and, and often removing the dung and the other
foul stuff. You must take care to fix nest boxes and
back cages in every convenient corner and place in
ihc room, at least twice the number that you have
of birds, that they may have the more variety to
choose a lodging to their minds, for some love to
build high, and some very low, some in a light
place, and others will choose a dark place to build
in.
There orght to be two windows in the room, one
at each end, and several perches, at proper distan-
>. for the birds to settle upon as they lly back-
v a nls and forwards.
x u may likewise set a tree in some convenient
rtof the room; it will divert the birds, and some
!l like to build in it. You must observe,
that their nest is secure from falling through, and if
in danger, to tie the tree closer, to prevent it, and
lliey will hatch there as well as in any other place.
Remember not to put too many birds together ;
right or ten pair are enough for a middling room.
hen your birds are fir.^i p-.iircd. as direcuJ be-
fore, tuni them in',o ;!. i . where they will live,
ns it were, a conjugal life; and notwithstanding
there are several male and female [>ii>N in the same
room, one rock and one hen. as they fir>t couple to-
gether, will keep constant to each other, and both
concur a;rl assi>t in sitting and feeding their young.
o '
for the cor!; bird takes his turn in building the nest,
Hlting upon the eggs, and feeding the young, as
Avcil as the hen.
Of thiir net?, and how to order their young.
You must furniili the birds with stuff for making
their nests, such as fine luiy. wool, cotton, and hair;
let these materials be thoroughly dry : then mix and
tie them i:p together in a net, or some such thing,
so that the birds may easily pull it out as they want
CANARY BIRDS.
it, and let it be hung in a proper place in the room
tor that purpose.
They build a pretty nest, about which they will
sometimes be so industrious, as to begin and finish
it in one day, though they are generally two or
three days making their nest : the hen commonly
lays four or five eggs, and sits fourteen days.
When the young are hatched, leave them to the
care of the old ones to nurse and bring up till they
can fly, and feed themselves. The hen, as I said
before, by reason of their rankness in being kept
together, and provided with ail things necessary at
hand, without any trouble in seeking their food,
&;c. will sometimes build and hatch again before
the first can shift for themselves, the care of which
she transfers to the cock-bird, who will feed and
nurse them himself, supplying the part of both pa-
rents, while she brings on and attends her new pro-
geny : but it is not so with those birds that live at
large in the fields; they observe their season for
breeding,, and after they have hatched, company
with their brood till their young are grown up, and
able to provide for themselves.
When the young canary birds can feed them-
selves, take them from the old ones, and cage them ;
if they are flying about the room, to catch them bring
a spare cage with some soft victuals in it, taking the
other meat that is in the room away, and placing the
cage there in its stead, with the door open, and a
string fastened thereto, then stand at a distance,
and the old ones will presently for the sake of the
meat, intice the young ones into the cage ; then pull
the string,. and shut in as many as you can, and.
catch them*-.,.
Let their meat be the yolk of an egg hard boiled,
with as; much of the best bread, and a little scalded
rapcseed ; when it is boiled soft, bruise the seed fine,
and put a little maw seed amongst it, and mix it all
together, and give them a sufficient quantity fresh
il'i CATTLE.
every day ; never let it be stale or sour ; beside?
this, give them a little scalded rapeseed, and a little
rape and canary by itself. You may keep them to
this diet till they have done moulting, and afterwards
iced them as you do the old ones, unless at any tims
ihey are sick, then continue it.
CHAPTER X.
CATTLE.
SECT. I.-FOOD FOR CATTLE IN GENERAL.
146. 77ft; Everlasting Pea, a valuable Crop for
'Call I, .
The everlasting poa, commonly grown in garden?,
would make an advantageous crop, especially in
stony land, when the ground is broken up. When
once sown, it will bear a crop for many years, with-
out any annual trouble, except scattering >ome ma-
nure, and getting in the crop. Jt should be cut for
green food.
Dr. Anderson says, that the pods strained or
bruised would yield a great supply of food for
cattle.
14G. Scotch Knlc, excellent Food for Cattle.
Scotch kale planted out in June, in good land,
will grow very large before winter, and would give
an abundant supply for cattle, where no other juicy
food is to be had. As it grows upwards, it may be
planted close, and a vast deal will stand upon an
acre.
CATTLE* 115
147. The Virtues of Hay Tea for Cattle.
When there is a scarcity of hay, the following
experiment will be found a valuable succedaneum
to the cattle, and a great saving to the farmer.
Boil about a handful of hay in three gallons of
water (and so in proportion for any greater or small-
er quantity,) or if the water is poured boiling hoc
on the hay it will answer nearly as well. Give it
to the cattle and horses to drink when cold ; or if
the cattle or horses are any way ill, and under cov-
er, give it them blood warm.
This drink is so extremely nutritive that it nour-
ishes the cattle astonishingly, it replenishes the ud-
der of the cows with a prodigious quantity of milk,
makes the horses stale plentifully, and keeps them
healthy and strong ; and by this method one truss
or hundred of hay will go as far as eight or ten other-
wise would do. The cattle and horses will not
seem to like it at first, but if they are kept till they
are very thirsty they will drink freely of it ever af-
terwards.
Farmers, nnd others, in Sweden^ andothercold
countries, who have cattle and horses, when they
are in want of fodder, constantly pursue this meth-
od, and find the good effects of it ; and there is no
doubt but this method would have the same good ef-
fect on sheep in severe weather, when the sheep
are housed, or the land covered with snow, espe-
cially if they were given a small quantity of salt, (a
practice used in Spam to make the wool fine and
soft,) to strengthen the sheep, and prevent the rot,
for the stronger the sheep are the greater quantity
of wool they will produce, and which will be muck
finer and softer than when the sheep are lean and
weak.
The hay, after being used as before-mentioned,
and dried, may be used as a litter for horses or cat-
tle 5 it makes very good manure, and saves straw*
116 CATTLE,
which will bo a considerable advantage, especially
when there is a scarcity of that article.
N. B. By a handful of hay, is meant as much as
a person can grasp in his hand from a parcel of
loose hay, And it is presumed and wished, as the
nbovc- method is so easy and safe, that no person.
who has cattle, cows, horsss, or sheep, will ncglc-(..
to try it.
This method was followed with a cow, which
was kept in a large city, for the sake of the children,
where no green food could easily be got in winter.
except the refuse of the- vegetables used in the fain:-
!r. Boiiing water was poured into a tub half tilled
with hay. and the tub was covered till cold. But
fhe cow eat the h;iy as well as the tea, seemed to be
fond of bod), and i( was thought the milk was more
plentiful. It was, in fact, a succedaneum for green
food.
l'!0. A prbfiinhli Ji'i.'i/ of fattening Pigs.
Put four pig- in a sty. for they feed best in com-
pany, but if there are too many they are apt to quar-
rel : d tSif-m mederately the (ii>( week, and thrice
during the second week mix with their barley meal
as much antimony as will lie on a shilling ; and the
third week twice give them the same quantity. I
need scarcely observe it is in powder.
This purifies the blood, gives them an appetite,
and makes them thrive apace.
SECT. II. BEST METHODS OF FEEDING
AND MANAGING COWS.
149. On the great lucres re of Mtk from ftcding.
Milch Coios zsith Sainfoin.
The quantity of milk produced by cows fed by
sainfoin is nearly double to that of any other
CATTLE. H7
The milk is also much richer, and \vill yield a lar-
ger quantity of cream. The butter will also be bet-
ter coloured and flavoured than any other.
150. Parsnips productive of Milk in Cows.
Parsnips cause cows to produce abundance of
milk, and they eat them as free as they do oil-cake.
Land, 71. an acre in Guernsey, is sown with pars-
nips to feed cattle, and the milk is like cream.
Sheep, when lambing, fed with them, produce
much milk. They are improper food for horses,,
subjecting them to blindness.
151. Most proper Food for Milch Cows.
Milch cows are infinitely more profitable kept In
the house than out of doors, but they must be train-
ed to it, otherwise they do not thrive.
The best food for them are clover, lucerne, pota-
toes, yams, turnips, carrots, cabbages, peas, and
beans.
Such cows as those in the neighbourhood of Lon-
don, kept in the house, and properly fed, ought to
yield nine gallons per day, for the first four months
after calving.
152. Additional Quantity of Milk to be gained by
keeping Milch Cozvs in the House.
In the management of cows a warm stable is
highly necessary ; and currying them like horses,
not only affords them pleasure but makes them
give their milk more freely. They ought always
to be kept clean, laid dry, and have plenty of good
sweet water to drink. Cows treated in this manner
have given two gallons of milk at a time, when with-
in ten days of calving.
153. To prevent Cows from contracting bad Habits
iv hi I e Milking.
Cows should always be treated with great gentle-
ness, and soothed by inild usage, especially whet
118 MANAGEMENT OF tig".
young and ticklish, or when the paps arc tender, it.
which case the udder ouarht to be fomented with
o
warm water, before milking, and touched with the
greatest gentleness, otherwise the cow will be in
danger of contracting bad habits, becoming stub-
born and unruly, and retaining her milk ever after.
* o
A cow never lets down her milk pleasantly to the
person she dreads or dislikes. The udder and
paps should always be washed with clean water be-
fore milking ; but care should be taken that none of
that water be admitted into the milking pail.
SECT. III. MANAGEMENT OF CALM.-.
154. Sin i- .' fid tl< i<< riinc.nt of rearing Calves with-
out J\It/k. From Transact/' //> ';/' the Lat/i >
cirly, rc7. 5.
SIR. Tythcrtnn. l).c. 3, 1709.
]"ne following is as near a calculation of the
expenses of i-onriti, :ir, r;:ivcs without milk, as I
can at ) : assert. In th- r prar 1707, [weaned
seventeen calves; in 1708. twrnt\ -three ; ai;d in
1789, fiiuen. 1 buiighl, in 1787. thru I. of
lin-.t."<! : 1 put one quart of the serd to six (jiiarts
of water, which, by ! ; ten minut''>. became a
good jelly ; this jelly is mixed with a : small (j!i:mtity
of the tea of the be- ., stt e}>' d in boiling \vi.ter.
II \ ing my calves ..> dmp at difTereni* times, I
did not make an exact c,t ':l.ition of thr expense of
this hay tea, but out of my ihrce sacks of seed I had
better than two b i .!>h'.-i- h.-fi at last. 1 gave them
the jelly and hay tea three times a day : to the boy,
who looked after them, (>J. per day : the price ol
the linseed was 45. 0</. per bushel : ilit v/hole thrc^
years' seed 2/. bs.
My calves are kept in a good growing state, and
are much better at this time than mv neiirh
r W
CATTLE. 119
that are reared by milk : they do not fall off so much
when they come to grass.
I am, &c. THOMAS CROOK.
155. To make Hay Tea for Calves.
Take about one pound of red clover hay, well
got in, and six quarts of clear spring water ; boil
them together till the water is reduced to four quarts ;
then take out the hay, and mix a pound 1 of barley,
oat, or bean meal, amongst a little water ; put it into
the pot or cauldron, while it is boiling, and keep it
constantly stirring until it is thickened. Let it
cool, then give it to the calf, adding as much whey
as will make a sufficient meal. This is a cheap
way of rearing calves, and the valuable article of
.milk may be saved for other purposes.
156. Excellent Method of rearing Calves, and of
preserving the Cream, and a great Part of the
Milk during that Time.
Put some water on the fire, nearly the quantity
that the calf can drink. When it boils, throw into
it one or two handfuls of oatmeal, and suffer the
whole to boil for a minute. Then leave it to cool
until new milk warm. Then mix with it one or two
quarts of milk, that has stood twelve hours, and has
been skimmed ; stir the whole, and give it the calf
to drink. At first it is necessary to make the calf
drink by presenting the fingers to it, but it soon
loai'ns to do without this help, and will grow incom-
parably faster than by the old method. This new
method is not only a theoretical truth, but its suc-
cess is confirmed by experience.
The economical advantages resulting from it are
as follows : According to the old method, a calf in-
tended for slaughter is made to suck for three weeks,
and those intended for agriculture from six to eight
weeks. Supposing the cow gives only a moderate
quantity of milk, the value of it will amount, in
three weeks, to nearly the value of the calf. If, oa
120 HORSEs.
the contrary, we rear a calf according to this meth-
od, we consume during the three weeks only three
quarts of oatmeal, at most, and the skimmed milk.
Calves that have been brought up by this method
have been always healthy and strong, and not sub-
ject to disease. They are not suffered to suck at
all, but to have the pure milk of the mother to drink
for the first four days, because it has been observ-
ed, that the separation, after four days, is more
painful to the mother than when the calf is taken
;rom her soon after its birth.
157. To prevent Sickness in Cali'cs about Michael-
mas.
Take newly-churned frc.-h butter, without salt,
and form of it a cup the size of a heirs egg ; into
this cup put three or four cloves of garlic bruised,
and fill it up with tar ; do so for each calf: put this
cup, &c. down each culfs throat : immediately af-
terwards put into the calPs nostrils half a table
spoonful of spirit of turpentine ; then tar the calf's
: nouL well, anil keep them within doors for an hour.
The calves ought to be housed the night before this
medicine is given.
SECT. IV. HORSES.
1 58. Utility of Carrots as Food for Horses and olJf >
.-'all Jtt'asts.
Carrots arc excellent food for horses, either giv-
en alone, or along with hay, likewise for fattening
stall beasts. They make them eat straw, and very
indifferent hay, greedily. If the same be given to
cows, tSie milk will have a much less offensive L.stc
and smell than when they are fed on turnips.
Remark. It must be noted, however, that car-
>, though a very excellent, arc a vrry cxpr::.-ivc
H-OR8ES*
food. They would not enable a farmer to pay his
rent.
!'j9. Benefit of Furze or Gofss as a Winter Food for
Horses.
Having a horse which had been overworked to
*he appearance of a surfeit, I treated him in the
usual manner for that disorder; and knowing how
necessary it would be to his speedy recovery to
give him green food after his physic, it occurred to
rue that furze might answer the purpose immediate-
ly, as there could be none of the common herbage
procured before the end of April at soonest. I there-
fore had a quantity of the tops, and the tenderest
parts of that plant, cut daily to preserve it, fresh,
which I hashed upon a block, with a very long and
heavy chopping knife, as small as possible, and then
beat it again over the same block with a carpenter's
mallet, (which blunted in a great measure the sharp
prickles), and gave half a peck a day of it to the
horse, (in the stable), which cat it most greedily,
and received so much benefit from it that he is to-
tally recovered, and carries a very fine coat.
The success of this experiment led me to consi-
der the great utility this plant may be of to poor
people who live in the neighbourhood of large com-
mons overgrown with it. as food for cows in winter,
when fodder is dear ; and, in reality, none so proper
for milch cattle as this green food, which must na-
turally increase the milk, and from the fragrant
smell it sends forth while cutting, it may reasonably
be conjectured it will give no ill taste to it, as many
vegetables do.
Remark. In any situation, however, where furze
could be extensively used as a food for cattle, chop-
ping and beating would be -found to be too expen-
sive a process, though it has often been tried on a
small scale, and the food is known to be excellent.
Every leaf of the common furze of this country is
L
122 DISEASES OF CATTLE A: D SHEEP.
pointed by a prickle; and the only cheap way ol
making the plant useful, is to bruise it to a pulp,
between rollers in a mill. Such rollers, added to a
thrashing machine, might, in some situations, be ve-
ry useful.
SECT. V. SHEEP.
ICO. To mark Sheep without Injury to the Wool.
To thirty spoonfuls of linseed oil add two ounces
of litharge, and one ounce of lamp black ; unite them
together by boiling, and mark the sheep therewith.
161. To improve the Wool of Sheep by Smearing.
Immediately after the sheep arc shorn, soak the
roots of the wool that remain all over with oil or
butter and brimstone, and three or four days after-
wards wash them with salt and water; the wool of
next season will not only be much liner, but the
quantity will be in greater abundance. It may be
depended upon, that the sheep will not be troubled
with the scab or vermin that year. Salt water is a
-;\fe and effectual remedy against maggots.
SECT. VI. DISEASES OF CATTLE AND
SHEEP.
1G2. To preserve Cattle from Disease in the JVinU i .
When cattle are kept out in the winter, it is re-
commended as an useful practice to rub some tor at
the root of the horn, which prevents the wet from
getting between the root and the skin, and, it is said,
contributes to preserve the health of the animal, and
to keep it from various diseases to which it may
otherwise be liable.
DISEASES OF CATTLE AND SHEEP. [123
163. Easy Method of preventing the Rot in Sheep.
It is a custom with the farmers, in some districts?
to pasture their sheep on ground abounding; with
broom for several days, when the broom is in blos-
som. " This," says Sir John Sinclair, on the autho-
rity of an intelligent correspondent, " will prevent
the sheep so pastured from being infected with the
rot for that season.-'
164. Par shy recommended to Farmers to be soion
with Rape-Seed, as a preservative against the Resp
in Sheep.
A correspondent of the Chester Chronicle re-
commends to all farmers, who sow rape-seed, to
sow with it a small portion of parsley at the same
time ; this he pronounces an infallible preservative
against the malady well known by the name of
resp, in sheep; he also advises to sow parsley on
turnip land at the time of hoeing turnips. The
above correspondent asserts, that he has pursued
this plan upwards of 25 years, and during that time
he has never lost one sheep, either in rape or turn-
ip land.
Remark. In some counties, parsley is sown with
clover, on the supposition that it prevents cattle
from being bursten, or hoven.
165. Cure of the Rot in Sheep.
Take a quantity of rue leaves, bruise them well,
express the juice, and add an equal weight of salt;
when any of the sheep are in great danger of being
rotten, give them a table-spoonful of this once a
week; and if they are not so bad, once in ten or
twelve days. This will be found an excellent pre-
servative, and, in fact, should always be given to
sheep newly brought-in, as it may preserve them in
health, and can do them no harm, let them be ever
o well.
' t CEMENT.-.
CHAPTER XL
CEMENTS.
166. Admirable Cement, or J/ /\V/r, as wad- <
Cotmpold Hilt .-.
On the Cotswold Hills', in Gloccstershire, whcrf
lime is dear, and sand not to be had. an excellent
mortnr is prepared at a moderate price. Invention
is seldom inure successful, than when it is prompted
m iy. The scrapings of the public road-
hills, being lcvig;tt--d limestone more or
impregnated widi the dimgand urine of the ani-
, veiling on them, are found to be a most ad-
mirable basis for cement. The scrapings alone are,
<,:a ntly used lor ordinary walls ; and the general
oiiion, for even the best buildings, is not more
than one part lime to three of scrapings. This mor-
tar, of less than ten years standing, has been ob-
i *
-j-vcd to possess a stone-like tenacity, much tirmcr
?hnn the common stono of the eotuitry ; and, consr-
'icntiv. much harder (hnn the stones from which
, [(her li-.i.- basis or the lime was made. The method
of preparing this cement is simply by collecting.
(j road scrapings, slacking the lime, and mixing
h.-m very thoroughly lugeih^r: carefully picking
ml, as ilu? m:^> is worked over, the stones or other
>uln< es \vhich may have ber n collected. For
-lone work, this is quite sufficient; for brick work,
it might be necessary to pass the materials through
a screen or sieve, previously to their being united,
<nd made up into mortar. Similar scrapings may be
ollected, wherever limestone is used as a material in
making or repairing roads ; this admirable mortar
m, therefore, readily be prepared, in ail
place?, with very little trouble or expense,
CEMENTS. 125
167. Useful Properly of common Glue.
Common glue, dissolved with linseed oil, will re-
sist the weather. The glue should be melted with a
very little water, before the oil is added.
163. To make Size from Potatoes.
One of the beneficial uses of potatoes, not per-
haps generally known, is, that tiie starch of them,
quite fresh, and washed only once, may be employ-
ed to make size, which, mixed with chalk, and di-
lated in a little water, forms a very beautiful and
good white for ceilings. This size has no smell,
while animal size, which putrifies so readily, al-
ways exhales a very disagreeable odour. That of
potatoes, as it is very little subject to putrefaction,
appears, from experience, to be more durable in
tenacity and whiteness; and, for white-Washing,
should be preferred to animal size, the decomposi-
tion of which is always accompanied with unhealthy
exhalations.
169. To make Patent Paste.
Boil a quantity of mealy potatoes, and mash them
without peeling; then take as many, and one third
more, of raw potatoes, and obtain the starch or flow-
er from them, by grating them into a vessel of wa-
ter, and reserving only the finer particles. The
mashed potatoes are to be diluted, beat up, and pas-
sed through a sieve. They are then to be put into
a boiler, and when nearly boiling, the starch pro-
duced from the grated potatoes is to be added, and
the whole boiled together about twenty minutes,
during which time it must be kept carefully stirred :
it is then good paste, and is to be put into a wide
vessel to cool.
"1 70. A most excellent Glue.
Beat an ounce of isinglass to shreds ; dissolve it
gradually in a pint of brandy, by means of gentle
T O
L &
12G t'K:IL.\ ITS.
heat, and then strain the solution through- a niece OT
fine muslin. The glue thus obtained should be kep'
in glass closely stopped. When required for u.^e, it
should be dissolved with moderate heal, when it
will appear thin, transparent, and almost limpid.
When applied in the mariner of common glue, its ef-
fect is so powerful as to join together the parts of
wood stronger than the wood ibelf is united. This
glue dries into a very strong, tough, and transpa-
rent substance, not easily damaged by any thing
but aqueous moisture, which renders it unfit for any
use where it would be much exposed to wet or damp
air.
371. Parchment Glue.
Take one pound of parchment, and boil it in six
quarts of water, till the quantity V- reduced to one,
<l ion strain off the dregs, and boil it again till it be
j, r the consistence of glue.
The same may be done with glovers 7 cuttings of
'earlier, which make a colourless glue, if not burnt
i the evaporation of the water.
72. To mak>' Lip Glue, for joining Paper. Silk,
<>/ I hin Leather, <$>c.
Take of isinglass and parchment glues, of each
one ounce ; sugarcandy and gum-tragacanth, each
two drachms; add to them an ounce of water, and
boil the whole together till the mixture, when cold,
is of the consistence of glue ; then form the same in-
to small rolls, or any other figure that may be most
convenient, and it will be fit for use.
This glue may be wet with the tongue, and rub-
bed on the edges of the paper, silk, or leather, that
are to be joined : and on being laid together, and
suffered to dry, they will be united as firmly as any
other part of the substance.
/"<
t.73. Preparation of common Cement for joining
Alabaster, Marble, Porphyry, or other Stones.
Take of bees'-wax two pounds, and of rosin one
pound, melt them, and add one pound and a half oi
the same kind of matter, powdered, as the body ta
be cemented is composed of, strewing it into the
melted mixture, and stirring them well together, and
afterwards kneading the mass in water, that the-
powder may be thoroughly incorporated with wax
and rosin. The proportion of the powdered matter
may be varied, where required, in order to bring
the cement nearer to the colour of the body on
which it is employed.
This cement must be heated when applied ; as
must also the parts of the subject to be cemented
together; and care must be taken likewise, that
they be thoroughly, dry. .
When this composition is properly managed, it
forms an extremely strong cement, which will even
suspend a projecting body of considerable weight.,
after it is thoroughly dry and set, and is therefore or
great use to all carvers in stone, or others who may
have occasion to join together the parts of bodies of
this nature.
Melted sulphur, applied to fragments of stones
previously heated (by placing them- before a me) to
at least the melting point of sulphur, and then join-
ed with the sulphur between, makes a pretty firm
and durable joining.
Chips out of corners, and similar little deficiences
in the stone, may also be filled up with melted sul-
phur, in which some of the powder of the stone has
been mixed : but the stone should be previously
heated.
174. Strong Cement.
To prevent the escape of the vapours of water,,
spirit, and liquors not corrosive, the simple applica-
tion of slips of moistened bladder will answer very
i -.23 CEMENTs.
\vell for glass, and paper with good paste for metal.
Bladder, to be very adhesive, should be soaked some
time in water moderately warm, till it feels clammy.
it then sticks very well ; if smeared with white oi
eggs instead of watery it adheres still closer.
175. Fire Lute.
For a fire lute, take porcelain clay from Corn-
wall, (not pipe clay) let it be pounded small, and
mixed up to the consistence of thick paint, with a
solution of two ounces of borax in a pint of hot wa-
ter. For want of this peculiar kind of clay, slacked
quicklime mixed up in the s.imc manner may be
used. This may be kept ready mixed in a covered
17G. Cold Lute.
Take equal parts. 1>\ measure, of the above
and wlK-nt Hour; mix them to a proper consistence
with cold wrater. This is more tenacious than the
're lule, but does not keep so well.
ill. Ju'ilhcr.
A very excellent lute for many purposes may be
'(i,> by beating up an egg, both the white and the
.Ik. with half it weight of quicklime in powder.
Tlii* lute is to be put upon a piece of linen, and ap-
;cd as usual. It dries slowly, but becomes very
compact, and acquires great hardness.
17:3. CL i nt.nl for Ironflueg,
Common salt and sifted wood-ashes, equal port.*;,
Tir.de into a pa-tr with water, make a good cement
for iron flues, &c. bettor than most other compn.*i-
lions, and may be applied when the Hue is hot or
cold. Iron-filings and vinegar will do as well, or
rather iron-filings moistened 'with diluted muriatic
ncid. These are commonly used for filling up the
spaces between cylinders.
CEMEXTS* 123
179, Blood Cement for repairing Copper Boilers^
frc. frc.
This cement is often used by coppersmiths, to
lay o/er the rivets and edges of the sheets of cop-
per in Jorge boilers, to serve as an additional secu-
rity to the joinings, and to secure cocks, &c. from
leaking;- if is made by mixing pounded quicklime
with ox's blood. It must be applied fresh made, as
it soon eels- so ha?d as to be unfit for use.
o
If the properties of this cement were duly inves-
tigated, it would be found useful for many purposes
to which it has never yet been applied, it is ex-
tremely cheap, and very durable.
1 80. To restore Cast, Iron Furnaces, and Soap Pans,
that through Occident or Mismanagement may be
cracked.
Take a small clod of fine new lime, slacked, and
finely sifted, mix it up with white of eggs, well
beaten, till it is of the consistence of pap CF soft mor-
tar, then add to it some iron file dust, and with this
composition fill up the inside of the crack, (which
will be sufficient) raising a little seam or bead
upon it, and it will soon become hard and fit for
use.
This experiment completely cured a gentleman's
furnace which had a. crack fourteen inches long, and
lie has boiled in it three or four clays every week
since, without the least inconvenience or prospect
of its being again disunited.
131. Composition for a Cement to resist the Action?
of Fire and Water.
Take half a pint of milk, and mix with it an equal
quantity of vinegar, so as to coagulate the milk.
Separate the curds from the whey, and mix the lat-
ter with the whites of four or five eggs, after beat-
ing them well up. The mixture .of these two sub-
stances being complete, add sifted quick-lime, am?
l30 CEMEXTS.
inokc the \diole into a thick paste of the co:i>i?.:cn
cy of putty. If this mastic is carefully applied to
broken bodies, or to fissures of any kind, and dried
properly, it resists water and fire.
182. A Cement to resist Moisture,
May be formed by melting by heat, without wa-
, common glue, with half its weight of rosin ; to
which must be add^d, some red ochre, to give it
body ; it is particularly useful for cementing hones
to their frames.
183. To make Japanese Cement, or Rice Glue.
This elegant cement is made by mixing rice flour*
intimately with cold water, and then gently boil-
ing it. It is beautifully white, and dries almost
transparent. Papers pasted together by means of
this cement will sooner separate in their own sub-
M-.-.IK-C thrui at the joining, which makes it cxtremc-
lv useful in the preparation of curious paper arti-
cle-. as iea-tn\s. l.i<:i' i >' dressing-boxes, and other
articles which require layers of paper to be cc-
fflOnted together. It is, in every respect, prefera-
ble to common paste made* with wheat Hour, for al-
most every purpose to which that article is usually
applied. It answers well, in particular, for past-
ing into books the copies of writings taken oil by co-
pying-machines on unsized silver paper.
With this composition, made with a comparative-
ly small quantity of water, that it may have the con-
sistence similar to plastic clay, models, busts, sta-
tues, basso-relievos, and the like, may be formed.
When dry, the articles made of it are susceptible of
a high polish ; they are also very durable.
The Japanese make quadrille fish of this sub-
stance, which so nearly resembles those made of
mother of pearl, that the officers of our Ea?t Inn'
men ore often imposed upon,
CEMENTS. 131
184. 'Turkey Cement for joining Metals, 'Glass,
The jewellers in Turkey, who are mostly Arme-
nians, have a curious method of ornamenting watch
cases, and similar things, with diamonds and other
stones, by simply glueing them on. The stone is set
in silver or gold, and the lower part of the metal
made flat, or to correspond with the part to which it
is to be fixed: it is then warmed gently, and the
glue applied, which is so very strong that the parts
never separate. This glue which may be applied to
many purposes, as it will strongly join bits of glass
or polished steel, is thus made:
Dissolve five or six bits of mastic, as large as
peas, in as much spirits of wine as will suffice to
render it liquid ; in another vessel dissolve as much
isinglass (which has been previously soaked in wa-
ter till it is swollen and soft) in French brandy or in
rum, as will make two ounces, by measure, of strong
glue, and add two small bits of gum-galbanum, or
ammoniacum, which must be rubbed or ground till
they are dissolved ; then mix the whole with a suf-
ficient heat. Keep it in a phial, stopped ; and when
it is used set it in hot water.
185. An excellent Cement for broken China
May be made from a mixture of equal parts of
glue, white of egg, and white lead.
1 86. Cement to mend broken China or-Glass.
Garlic stampt in a stone mortar ; the juice where-
of, when applied to the pieces to be joined together,
is the finest and strongest cement for that purpose,
and will leave little or no mark if done with care.
187. To prepare a Cement for joining broken Glass.
China, Earthenware^ $~c.
Take two ounces of good glue, and steep it for a
night in distilled vinegar ; boil them together the
aext day ; and having beaten a clove of garlic, with
J
if on ounce of ox-gal!, intoa soft pulp, stmi.:
ico through a linen cloth, using pressure, and add
the same to the glue and the vine-gar. Then Like
gum sandarach powdered, and turpentine, of each
one drachm, and ofsarcocol and mastic pondered,
each half a drachm, an 1 put them into a bottle with
an ounce of highly rectified spirits of wine. Stop tin 1
bottle, and let the mixture stand tor three hours in
a gentle heat, frequently shaking it. Mix this tinc-
ture also with the glue while hot. and stir them well
together with a stick or tobacco pipe, till part of
the moisture be evaporated ; then take the compo-
sition from the lire, and it will be fit lor use. }\ hen
this cement is to lie- applied, it must be dipt in vine-
ir, and then melted in a proper ves^-l. \\iih a gen-
lle heat : i.nd it' >tont - arc io be cemented it is pro-
per to mix \\ith it a little powdered tri poll or chalk;
nr if glass i> to be conjoined, powdered glass should
b< '!";!' (I.
For the uniting the pnr'> of broker, china, or earth-
enware ve^eK as also glass, u!i< TC the nMidering
fhe join: visible is not of consequence, the followi'
composition, which i^ nu;( h more easily prepared,
may b<; substituted for the tregoing.
Take an ounce of Suffolk cheese, or any other
kind devoid of fa', grate it as small as possible, and
put it, with an equal wight of quicklime, into three
ounces of skimmed milk; mix them thorough!} to-
gether, and use the composition immediately-.
AYherc the broken vr^rls are for service onlv.
and the appearance N not to be regarded, the joint>
may be made equally strong with any other part of
the glass, by putting a slip of thin paper, or linen,
Mnearcd with this cement, over them, after they are
well joined together by it. This method will make
a great saving in the case of glares employed 1- r
chemical, or other similar operations.
A cement of the same nature may be mr.de I>\
tempering quicklime v.iih the curl of milk, 'ill i! bo
fS. 133
<rf a due Consistence for use. The curd, in this case,
should be as free as possible from the cream or oil
of the milk. On this account it should be mode of
milk from which the cream has been well skimmed
off, or the kind of curd commonly sold in the mark-
ets, made of whey, and the milk from which butter
has been extracted, commonly called butter-milk.
This cement should be used in the same manner as
the preceding, and they may be applied to stones,
marble, &c. with equal advantage as the compound
one above given, and is much more easy and cheap-
ly prepared.
Drying oil, with white lead, is also frequently
used for cementing china and earthenware; but
where it is not necessary the vessels should endure
heat or moisture, isinglass glue, with a little tripoli
or chalk is better.
1 OS. To stop Cracks in Glass Vessels.
The cracks of glass vessels may be mended, by
daubing them with a suitable piece of linen over
with white of egg, strewing both over with finely
powdered quicklime, and instantly applying tlie
linen closely and evenly.
189. Cement for preserving Wood and Brick.
This composition is formed of the following ma-
terials, viz. mineral or coal tar, pulverized coal,
(charcoal is esteemed the best) and fine well-slack-
ed lime ; the coal and lime to be well mixed toge-
ther, proportioned at about four-fifths coal and one-
iifth lime : the tar to be heated, and while hot thick-
ened with the mixture of coal and lime, until it be-
comes so hard that it may be easily spread upon the
surface of a board, and not run when hot. Turpen-
tine or pitch will answer nearly as well as tar, and
plaster of Paris will answer instead of lime ; to be
iised in the same manner, and in about the same pro-
M
l34 CLOTHES.
portions. The cement must be applied warm, and u
found to be used easiest with a trowel.
190. Cement for Wood or Paper.
Dissolve some isinglass in a small quantity of gin
<>r proof spirit, by a very gentle heat ; and preserve
it in a bottle for use.
391. Another.
Dissolve, isinglass two parts, and gum arabic in
like manner with the preceding, and keep it in a
boUle for use.
CHAP. XII.
f CLOTHES.
(And sec CHAP, \\xin. Spots or \v///- 3 ////><
IU2. Receipt for
In three pints of small beer, put two ounce? ol
nory black, and one pennyworth of brown su^ur.
As soon as they boil, put a desert-spoonful of sweet
oil, and then boil slowly till reduced to a quart. Stir
it up with a stick every time it is used; and put it
on the shoe with a brush when wanted.
193. Another.
Two ounces of ivory black ; one tea-spoonful oi
oil of vitriol, one table-spoonful of sweet oil; and
two ounces of brown sugar; roll the same into a
ball, and to dissolve it add half a pint of vinegar.
1 94. Another.
Take ivory black and brown sugarcandy. of each
CLOTHES. I3j'
two ounces ; of sweet oil a table-spoonful ; add gra-
dually thereto a pint of vinegar, cold, and stir the
whole till gradually incorporated.
195. Another.
To one pint of vinegar add half an ounce of vi-
triolic acid, half an ounce of copperas, two ounces
of sugarcandy, and two ounces and a half of ivory"
black : mix the whole well together.
u
196. Another.
Sweet oil, half an ounce; ivory black and treacle,
of each half a pound ; gum arabic, half an ounce ;
vinegar, three pints; boil the vinegar, and pour it
hot on the other ingredients.
197. Another.
Three ounces of ivory black, one ounce of sugar-
candy, one ounce of oil of vitriol, one ounce of
spirits of salts, one lemon, one table-spoonful of
sweet oil, and one pint of vinegar. First mix the
ivory black and sweet oil together, then the lemon
and sugarcandy, with a little vinegar to qualify the
blacking, then add your spirits of salts and vitriol,
and mix them all well together.
N. B. The last ingredients prevent the vitriol
and' salts from injuring the leather, and add to the.
lustre of the blacking.
O
198. Another.
Ivory black, two ounces ; brown sugar, one ounce*
and a half; sweet oil. half a table-spoonful. Mix
them well, and then gradually add half a pint of
small beer. ProvecL
189. Another.
A quarter of a pound of ivory black, a quarter of
a pound of moist sugar, a table-spoonful of flour, a
piece of tallow about the size of a walnut, and a
small piece of gum arable, Make a paste of the
iiour, and while hot put in the tallov;, then the su-
gar, and afterwards mix the whole well together in
ii quart of water, and you will have a beautiful shill-
ing blacking.
COO. Blacking Bulls for Shoes.
o /
Mutton suet, four ounces, bees'-wax, one ounce.
?ugarcandy and gum-arabic, one drachm each, ia
c powder; melt these well together over a gentle
lire, and add thereto about a spoonful of turpentine,
and ivory and lamp black, sufficient to give it a good
black: while hot enough to run, you may make it
into a ball, by pouring the liquor into a tin mould :
or let it stand till almost cold, you may mould it in
tat fcji-;ii you please by the- hand.
' '-.'it-ati-d Blacking dike for Boots and
Shoes.
Take one part of gum tragacanth, four parts of
river water, two parts of neats'-foot or seme other
ricniii i:i^ oil, two parts of superfine
: v bLr!., ti!ie purl of PrUssian blue in fine pow-
der, or indigo, fuur par!.-; of brown sugarcandy ;
boil the mixture; a;.:! \vii!>n the composition is o!
jjropcr co: nee, i ! it be forme! i:i!-j cakes of
i>uch a si/:o that each cake mny maLo a pint of li-
202. LVvy j/ (hod (>f clf;t.\ir, r .r Boots ir,).d Shoe-- i:i
'.'/ !l'i. t tn'-lii;ti', f-o as in prevent :-/tlin^ l!i:- I\T-
iO,\', t\t Cl.-l.'iCS, Or t/iC II'JU :.
Wlicn the boots or shoes are covered with dirt,
take them off, and with the back of a case-knife,
or a piece of wood cut thin at the ed-^es like a sta-
tioner's paper-knife, scrape the dirt oil' with t!
same as clean as possible, which will be very easi-
ly done while the boots and shoes are wet. Then,
with a small piece of wet sponge or flauii'J. wip"
CLOTHES. 137
ofFthe remaining dirt which the pressure of the
knife cannot effect. Then place them in a dry room,
or at a convenient distance from the fire, for a few
hours, and they will take the blacking remarkably
well, and bear as fine a polish as they did before
wetting. If proper attention is paid to this process,
the fingers will scarcely be soiled, and much trouble
will be' saved by the extra brushing required when
the dirt is suffered to dry on. .
03. Genuine Preparation of the Famous Chemical--
Liquid for Boot Tops, fyc.
Many of the liquids, sold under various denomi-
nations, for the purpose of cleaning and restoring
the colour of boot tops, &c. are found very imper-
fectly to answer that purpose, and often to injure the
leather. The following genuine receipt may be ful-
ly relied on, for actually producing this desirable
effect ; as well" as for readily taking out grease, ink
spots, and the stains occasioned by the juice of
fruit, red port wine, &c. from all leather or parch-
ment. Mix in a vial, one drachm of oxymuriate of
potash with two ounces of distilled water; and,
when the salt is dissolved, add two ounces of muri-
atic acid. Then, shaking well together, in another
phial three ounces of rectified spirit of wine with
half an ounce of the essential oil of lemon, unite the
contents of the two phials, and keep the chemical li-
quid thus prepared closely corked for use. This
chemical liquid should be applied with a clean
sponge, and dried in a gentle heat ; after which, the
boot tops may be polished with a proper brush, so
as to appear like new leather.
204. To clean Boot Tops, or any Tanned Leather.
Boil one quart of milk, let it stand till cold ; then
take one ounce of oil of vitriol ; one ounce of spirits
of salts ; shake them well together : and add one
133 CLOT11LS.
ounce of red lavender. You may put half a pint of
vinegar, with the white of an egg beat to a froth.
205. To prevent Shoes from taking in Wat< r.
One pint of drying oil, two ounces of yellow
wax, two ounces of turpentine, and half an ounce of
Burgundy pitch, melted carefully over a slow fire.
If new boots or shoes are rubbed with this mixture,
either in the sun-shine or at some distance from the
fire, with a sponge or soft brush, and the operation
is repeated as often as they become dry, till the lea-
ther is fully saturated, they will be impervious to
wet, and will wear much longer, as well as acquiring
a softness and pliability that will prevent the leather
from ever shrivelling.
Note. Shoes or boots prepared as above ought
not to be worn till perfectly dry and elastic, other-
wise their durability would rather be prevented"
than increased.
20G. To in-' vi nt Snow Water or Rain from penetrat-
ing the Salts of S//'jr* or Boots in Winter.
This simple and effectual remedy is nothing more
than a little bees^-wax and mutton suet, warmed in
a pipkin, until in a liquid btate ; then rub some of it
slightly over the edges of the sole where the stitches
are, which will repel the wet, and not in the least
prevent the blacking from having its usual cflect.
207. To restore the lustre of Gold or Silver Lace,
U-/K.H tarnithtd.
When gold or silver lace happens to be tarnish-
ed, the best liquor that can be used for restoring its
lustre is spirits of wine ; it should be warmed be-
fore it is applied to the tarnished spot. This appli-
cation will preserve the colour of the silk or em-
feroidery.
CLOTHES-. 13y
208. To clean Gilt Buckles or Toys.
Rub a little soap on a soft brush, dip the same in
water, and gently brush the article you intend clean-
ing for a minute or two, then wash the same clean
off, wipe it and place it near the fire till it is perfect-
ly dry, then burn a piece of bread, pound it to a
fine powder, and brush your articles with it as you
do silver goods with whitening.
203. A black Varnish for Gentlemen's old Straw or
Chip Hais.
Take best black sealing-wax, half an ounce: rec-
tified spirit of wine, two ounces ; powder the seal-
ing-wax, and put it, with the spirit of wine, into a
four ounce phial; digest- them in a sand heat, OL I
near a fire, till the wax is dissolved ; lay it on warm-
with a fine soft hair-brush, before a fire, or in tho
sun. It gives a good stiffness to old straw hats, ami.
a beautiful gloss equal to new, and resists wet. If
the hats are very brown they may be brushed ovei*
with writing ink. and dried before the varnish is ap-
plied. Spirit of turpentine may probably be used i:i-
the place of the spirit of wine.
210. To prevent Gentlemen/ s Hais from being spotted
after a Shower of Rain.
If your hat is wet from rain, or any other cause,
shake it-out as much as possible > then with a clean
linen cloth or handkerchief wipe the hat very care-
fully as well as you can, observing, that -in so doing
you keep the beaver flat and smooth, in the same
direction as it was first placed, then with your hands
fix it in the original shape, and hang it at a distance
from the fire to dry, A few hours after, or the next
morning, lay the hat on a table, and brush it round
and round several times with a soft brush in the pro-
per direction, and you will find your bat not in the
least injured by the rain,
140 CLOTHES*
If the gloss is not quite so high as you wi^li, take
a flat iron., moderately heated, and pass the sam
two or three times gently over the hat; brush it aft-
erwards ; and it wili be nearly as handsome as when
first sent home from the shop.
11. Preventives againfl the Ravages of the Muth.
The most u c ual preventives against the injury
occasioned by the moth arc cedar-wood and tobac-
co leave-. A piece of the former put into a box. it
sufficiently large to emit its peculiar odour to what-
ever may be contained in it. will effectually pre-
serve the cloth from injurv; and it is well known,
that in libraries where there are books hound wilh
Russia leather, which is tanned with cedar, no moth
or worm wiii corrupt. It is common to put rudar
shavings and chips into hi \ -. \:c. which . or
JIM a* well as the wroo I its If.
Tobacco leavc< may be priced at certain inter-
vals in the folds of a ; ; ce of woolen cloth ; and it
is suM! icnt to examine them once in -ix months, in
order to renew the leaves if neces.-ary.
21J. /.'. t N thm! of preventing Moths in Fury or
olcns.
Sprinkle the furs or woolen stuffs, as well as the
drawers or boxes in which they are kept, with spi-
rit* of turpentine; the unpleasant scent of which
tvill speedily evaporate, on exposure of the stuffs to
the air. Some persons place sheets of paper, mois-
tened with spirits of turpentine, over, under, or be-
tween pieces of cloth, &c. and find it a very etiec-
Ujal method.
213. To preserve Furs, Woolens,
Many woolen drapers put bits of camphor, the
size of a nutmeg, in papers, on different parts of
Iheir shelves in their shop ; and as they brush their
cloihs every two, three, or lour months, this keccps
CLOTHES.
them free from moths ; and this should be done in
boxes where furs, &c. are put. A tallow candle is
frequently put within each muff when laid by.
214. To keep Moths, Beetles, fyc.from Clothes.
Put a piece of camphor in a linen bag, or some
aromatic herbs, in the drawers, among linen or
woolen clothes, and neither moth or worm will come
near them.
215. To purify Wool infested with Insects.
The process of purification consists in putting in-
to three pints of boiling water a pound and a half of
alum, and as much cream of tartar, which are di-
luted in twenty-three pints more of cold water. The
wool is then left immersed in this liquor during some
days, after which it is washed and dried. After this.
operation it will no longer be subject to be attacked
by insects.
216. Chin ese Me thodofrende ring Cloth Wa t e r-p ro of.
To one ounce of white wax, melted, add one
quart of spirits of turpentine, which, when tho-
roughly mixed and cold, dip the cloth in and hang
it up to dry. By this cheap and easy method, mus-
lin, as well as the strongest cloths, will be rendered
impenetrable to the hardest rains, without the pores
being tilled up, or any injury done, when the cloth
is coloured.
217. New Method of cleaning Silks, Woolens and
Cottons.
The following receipt is recommended as a good
method of cleaning silk, woollen, and cotton goods,
without damage to the texture or colour of the
Grate raw potatoes to a fine pulp in clean water,
coarse sieve
mixture stand
and, pass the liquid matter through a coarse seve
into another vessel of water; let the mi
i2 CLOTHES.
-.till till the fine white particles of the potatoes arc
precipitated; then pour the mucilaginous liquor
from tiie fecula, and preserve the liquor for use.
The article to be cleaned should then be laid upon
a linen cloth on a table, and having provided a clean
sponge, dip the sponge into the potatoes liquor, and.
apply it to the article to be cleaned, till the dirt is
perfectly separated ; then wa^h it in clean w.Uor se-
veral times. T\vo middle-sized potatoes will bo-suf-
iicient for a pint of water. The white fecula will
answer the purpose of tapioca, and make an useful
nourishing food, with soup or milk, or serve to make
starch and hair-powder. The coarse pulp, which
does not pass the sieve, is of great use in cleaning
Worsted curtains, tapestry, carpets, or other coarse
goods. The mucilaginous liquor will clean all sorts
of silk, cotton, or woollen goods, without hurting or
spoiling the colour; it may be also used in cleaning
oil paintings, or furniture, that is soiled. Dirtied
painted wainscots may be cleansed by wetting a
sponge in the liquor; then dipping it in a little fine
clean sand, and afterwards rubbing ihe wainscot
with it.
210. 7o yffp tJtf Rt;j)',d(tii of Hamcs when ///< fc-
i Dr iHtj-iji'-i:* accidentally lv lake /'/'/ . .
ll' a wollen cloth was constantly kept in iiurse-
;-i"S ami sitting-rooms, especially when there are
fire?;, laid loose upon the table, or other piece of
'iirniture, this being always at hand, mi^ht be easi-
ly resorted to in case of accident, and bring wrapt
light round the flames, or strongly pressed against
them, would, by excluding the air, in i;:nny instan-
ces, soon extinguish the lire. A green baize cloth
being very pliable, and likewise a r.eat cover to fur-
niture, is recommended for this purpose ; and if
such were known in the family by the name of the
Stifling C!ot/i. it probably would as readily be used
CLOTHES. I4o
when there was occasion for it, as fire engines and
buckets are now. Care must be taken to procure
baize of a close texture. Where the convenience of
baize cloth cannot be easily procured, as in cot-
tages, &c. a cloth cloak, riding-coat, or blanket,
will answer much the same purpose. A man's coat
will always be useful ; and the first man that arrives
ought to apply it.
219. To prevent Clothes from Catching Fire.
One of the most evident methods to prevent
clothes from catching fire, is, to have wire fenders
placed before the fire-place, of a sufficient height,
to hinder the coals from flying into the room ; such
fenders are so placed in some parlours, but more, it
is believed, for protecting the marble hearth and
carpet, than for the safety of the females and chil-
dren of the family. Wire screens are sometimes
placed in rooms where birds are let loose, parallel
to the fire-place ; such as these, if more projecting
ones should be objected to, might be used in com-
mon sitting-rooms. One or two strong metal bars
would be some protection, if close wire-work should
not be liked ; these, of course, should come some
way forward, otherwise they would not be of much
use. Certainly the safest are fenders of close wire-
work, projecting into the room, sufficiently open to
let the heat through, but not any coals which might
fly from the fire. Nurseries, in particular, should
have this sort.
220'. Permanent Ink for marking Linen.
Take of lunar caustic, (now called argenlum ni-
tratum) one dram ; weak solution, or tincture of
galls, two drams. The cloth must be first wetted
with the following liquid, viz. salt of tartar, one
ounce; water, one ounce and a half ; and must be
perfectly dry before any attempt is made to write
upon it.
144 CLOTHES*
221. Another.
Dissolve one dram of lunar caustic, or fused ni-
trate of silver, which is sold by the chemists for a-
bout 4d. in less than half an ounce of pure water, or
water into which a drop or two of nitric acid has
fallen. Add as much clear solution of gum arabic as
will enable you to write freely ; and the mixture
will soon become opaque. oT a dark greenish hue.
A little charcoal, or rather indigo, ground very fine,
may be added, to make the traces of the letters
more visible as you form them, for otherwise they
would not be very distinct unless written in the sun,
or a strong light. But this is in part answered by
the dark hue given to the gum.
22. Another.
Pour about twenty-five parts of boiling water
over one part of quick-lime and two of soda. In
the clrar \voak Icy obtained by filtration or deposi-
lion, <li>M>lvc a little isinglass, or the scraped cpj-
ucnnis of the skin, and add as much soda in powdf-i:
as was u c cd for the ley ; isinglass, or even glue,
dissolved in water, will answer; but the colour is
not M> 'brilliant, and the solution soon putrifies ;
that made with soda will keep for year-.
\Vct thoroughly with the solulion of isinglass the
part of the cloth which is to be marked ; dry it well
and smooth it \\ith a bit of silver or gl;t-*s then
write lightly with a clean pen. and expose the writ-
ing for a minute to the sun. or a short time to the
day-light. The superfluous glue should not be wish-
ed out till the next day.
If there be too much nitrat in the ink, it will !
apt to run or blot. In that case diluto it with clear
gum-water. If there be too little nitrat the ink will
be pale ; then drop a small bit of the fused nitrat in-
to the vial.
The caustic must be lifted in paper or wiih
tLOTRES-. 145
points oT the scissars, as before it is dissolved it
burns the fingers ; and even the solution makes aa
indelible stain on the skin and the nails.
The ink bottle should be wrapped in strong pa-
per, or kept in a dark place, and not exposed for
nny long time to the sun or light.
223. To perfume Linen.
Rose leaves dried in the shade, cloves beat to a
powder, and mace scraped : mix them together, and
put the composition into little bags.
224. To raise the Surface or Pile of Velvet when
pressed down*
Warm a smoothing-iron moderately, and cover it
with a wet cloth, and hold it under the velvet ; the
vapour arising from the heated cloth will raise the
pile of the velvet, with the assistance of a rush
whisk.
225. To prevent Danger from Wet Clothes.
Keep if possible in motion, and take care not to
go near a fire or into any very warm place, so as to
occasion a sudden heat, till some time after you
have been able to procure dry clothes.
226. Useful Hints relative to Bedclothes, Mattresses^
Cushions, &ic.
The purity of feathers and wool employed for
mattresses and cushions ought to be considered as
a first object of salubrity. Animal emanations may,
under many circumstances, be prejudicial to the
health ; but the danger is still greater when the
wool is impregnated with sweat, and the excremen-
titious parts of persons who have experienced pu-
trid and contagious diseases. Bedclothes and the
wool of mattresses, therefore, cannot be too often
beat, carded, cleaned, and washed. This is a cau
'.ion which cannot be too often recommended,
-N
14G i LOTHE-S.
It would be very easy in most situation*, and ve-
ry effectual, to fumigate them with muriatic gas.
227 To clean Silk Stockings.
Wash your stockings first in while soap liquor,
lukewarm, to takeout the rough dirt; then rinse
them in fair water, and work them well in a fresh
soap liquor. Then make a third soap liquor, pretty
strong, in which put a little stone blue, wrapped in
a flannel bag, till your licjuor is uluc enough; then
Wash your stockings well therein, iincl take (hem out
and wring them. Then let them be dried so that
they may remain a little moist ; then stove them with
brimstone, after which, put upon the wood leg two
stockings, one upon the other, observing that (he
two fronts, or outsidcs, arc face to face, then polish
them with a glass.
N. B. The two first soap liquors must be only
lukewarm, the third soap liquor as hot as you can
bear your hand in it.
Blonds and gauzes arc whitened in the same
manner, only a little gum is put in the soap licjuor
beiore they are stovcd.
223. Prest-ri-c.'ic'- from Moths in Cl'lh . -,- or Hooks.
Get some narrow slips ofthe best Russia leather,
and lay the same indiscriminately among the clothes,
books, &c. The leather may be procured at any
bookbinder's in town, and a pound, which will last
a long time, costs about a shilling. This will have
the desired e fleet, it having been frequently used
iv i th great success.
'329. Composition for restoring Scorched Linen.
Boil, to a good consistency, in half a pint of vine-
gar, two ounces of fuller's earth, an ounce of hen's
dung, half an ounce of cake soap, and the juice of
two onions. Spread this composition over the whole
of the damaged part ; and, if the scorching were no f
CL'OTHES. H7
juitc through, and the threads actually consumed,
after suffering it to dry on, and letting it receive a
subsequent good washing or two, the place will ap-
pear full as white and perfect as any other part of
the linen.
230. Vulgar Error respecting the putting of Spirits
: ,i'o the Boots or Shoes to prevent the Effects of Cold,
The custom of pouring brandy into the boots or
shoes, when the feet have got wet, with a view to
prevent the eliccts of cold, is a practice which
(though very common) is founded in prejudice and
misconception, and often proves fatal, by bringing
on inflammation and consequent obstruction in the
bowels. This practice is adopted on the supposition
that, because spirits, when swallowed, excite an
universal warmth and restore the circulation in the
extremities, they must do the same when applied to
the extremities themselves. But the reverse hap-
pens. Fluids, when evaporating, produce cold ; and
the lighter or more spirituous the fluid, the more
quickly it evaporates, and the greater the degree of
colcl generated. This may be proved by a very sim-
ple experiment. If one hand be wetted with spirit
and the other with water, and both are held up to
dry in the air, the hand wetted with spirit will feel
infinitely colder than the other; or if the bulbs of
two thermometers be so treated, the mercury will
be observed to fall much more rapidly and exten-
sively in the one case than in .the other. Whatever
danger, therefore, arises from cold or damp feet, it
is generally enhanced by the practice alluded to. If
such a remedy is to be at all employed, it ought, un-
4.ouhtedlv. to" be taken into the stomach.
MS'. .CURIOSITIES.
CHAPTER XJ1K
Sir Jklttbii LCTC^S Method of preserving Birch
(Did Be a* Is.
BEASTS. Large beasts should be carefully skin-
. with the horns, skull, jaws, tail, and feet, left
t.niirc ; th skins may then either be put into a ves-
sel of spirit, or else rubbed well in the inside with
the mixture of salt, alum, and pepper, hereafter
mentioned, and hung to dry. Small beasts may be
put into aea>k of rum, or any other spirit.
BIRDS. Large birds may be treated as large
beasts, but must not be put in spirits. Small birds
;y be preserved in the following manner: take
out. the entrails, open a passage to the brain, which
,should be scooped out through the mouth : intro-
ro into the ca\ ities of the skull, and the whole bo-
dy, sorne of die mixture of salt, alum, and pepper,
putting some through the gullet and whole length of
MIC- neck; then han. 1 ; die bird hi a cool airy place,
.-,(. by the ;<< f. ik:i the body may be iir.prci'v
V the K|I-. and rds by a thread through
e under inedible M' I!K bill, till it appears to bt.
.M \vccl, then ir.u i g it in the sun, or near a lire: aft- I
u i> \s . !I dried, clean out what remains loose of the
i.nxturc. and fill the cavity of the body with wool,
oakum, or any soft substance, and pack it smooth
in pa}>er.
FISHES, &c. Large fishes should be opened in
the belly, the entrails taken out, and the inside well
rubbed with pepper, and stufrxl with oakum. Small
fishes put in spirit, as well as reptiles arid insects,
except butterflies and moths, anil any insects of ii
DAIRY. 1-49-
colours,. shcMiW be pinned down in a box prepared
for that purpose, with their wings expanded.
Birds shot in this Kingdom.
When fresh killed, observe to put tow into the
mouth, and upon any wound they may have receiv-
ed, to pi-event the feathers being soiled; and then
wrap it smooth, at full length, in paper, and pack
it close in a box. If it be sent from a great distance,
the entrails should be extracted, and the cavity fil-
led with to iv dipt in rum or other spirit. The fol-
following mixture is proper f.-- th^ preservation ol
animals: one pound of salt, four ounces of alum.
and two ounces of pepper, powdered together.
233. Rules for collecting Curiosities on tira l r oijavn.
Set apart a small cask of spirits, into which pn?.
every uncommon sea production you may meet with
during the voyage, and wrap every article separa< -
in a rag, or a little oakum.
CHAPTER XIV.
DJIRY.
234. Proper Temperature fur a Duiry.
The apartments appropriated for dairy purpose-
should, if possible, possess a moderate temperature
throughout the year, and should be kept perfectly
(Jean and dry. The temperature of about sifLy-flvo
degrees is most favourable for the separation of the
cream from the milk. The utensils of the dairy are
best made of wood; lead and copper are soluble in
acid, and highly pernicious ; and though iron is no f .
I 50 DAIRY.
injurious, the taste of it might render the produce r.j
the dairy unpalatable.
.23.J. lii'It-s for milking- Cores.
\s
Cows should be milked three times a day, if fully
led, throughout the summer; and ere at caution
O * O
should be exercised by the persons employed, to
draw the milk from them completely, not only loin-
crease the quantity of produce, but to preserve itj
quality. Any portion which may be left in the ud-
der seems gradually to be absorbed into the system,
and no more is formctl than enough to supply the
loss of what is taken away; and, by the continu-
ance of the :-a:ne mode, a yet farther diminution of
flic scciriioii takes place, until at length scarcely any
1. This hst mode of milking is ;.l\va\>
pra< i>'-d when it is intended thai a cow should be
rendered dry.
;6. Mlh'-xl r>f making cv client Butter from the
.!/ ' C'ni's fed upon Turnips.
Let the bowls, cither lead or wood, be kept con-
uitl\ clean, and well scalded with boiling water,
before using. Vv'hen the milk is brought into the
dairy, to ev.ery eight quarts mix one quart of boil-
ing water: then put up the milk into the bowls to
stand for cream. By keeping strictly to this method,
you will have, during the winter, constantly sweet
and well-lasted butter from the milk of cows fed up-
on turnips.,
'J37. Iiii/iroi'cd J.L'lhod of making Butter.
If the dairy consist of three or four cows they
should be milked in the summer thrice a day ; in the
morning, at noon, and in the evening. Eack milking
must be kept by itself, in flat wooden vessels, to cool
in like manner; and thus in succession for two or
three days, according to the temperature of the air,
the milk thickening,' and thence is fit for churning.
DAIRY".
soonest in the warmest weather. The quantity of
butter will be generally in the proportion of a pound
(twenty-two ounces) for each ten pints, or five Eng-
lish gallons of milk. In winter the cows are to be
milked only twice a day, and the milk is to be put
into the churn warm from the cow, where it must
stand a day or two longer than in summer before it
becomes sufficiently thick ; although, to promote
the coagulation,, it is sometimes brought near the
kitchen fire, particularly on the preceding night be-
fore it is churned ; and, in intense cold, it will be
necessary to add a small quantity of boiling water.
The operation of churning is performed with the
plunge churn, from two to three hours, for thirty or
forty pints of milk ; and at the last stage of the pro-
cess, a little cold water thrown in has the effect of
promoting the separation of the butter from the milk,
and making it twice a day : and even before the
cloth is taken off, the top and bottom are well rub-
bed every dav.
*' /
N. B. The dairy-maid must not be disheartened
if she does not succeed perfectly in her first at-
tempt.
238. Dr. Anderson's Method of keeping Milk and
Butter.
The pernicious method of keeping milk in leaden
vessels, and salting butter in stone jars, begins to
gain ground in this country, as well as elsewhere,
from an idea of cleanliness. The fact is. it is just
the reverse of cleanliness-, for, in the hands of a
careful person, nothing can be more cleanly than
wooden dishes, but under the management of a slat-
tern, they discover the secret, which stone dishes
do not.
In return, these latter communicate to the butter,
and the milk, which has been kept in them, a poi-
sonous quality, which inevitably proves destructive
1 j .' DISTILLING.
to the human constitution. To the prevalence of this
practice, I have no doubt (says the doctor) we i.iusf
attribute the frequency of palsies, which begin to
prevail so much in this kingdom ; for the \voll-
known effect of the poison of load is, bodily debili-
ty, palsy, cJea-h !
CHAPTER XV.
DISTILLING.
2.)9. ./ cheap /?/) or Condenser i
A short, somewhat ftai. vessel, two yards
;fn_;th, nine square feet siriace, with the same quan-
ti'\ of cold waic-r. has a greater cooling power than
a worm of five spiral turns and six yards length;
and if there be a small pipe to connect the still and
ihe condenser, the condensing water will continue
cold a much longer time.
210. To try the Purity of Spirits*
See if the liquor will burn away without leaving
any moisture behind. As spirit H much lighter than
water, place a hollow ivory ball in it ; the deeper
the ball sinks, the lighter the liquor, and conse-
quently more spirituous.
J 1 1. To cure $j^:'i';ioi(s L''.nor of bad Flavour*
If common raw spirits be agitated with charcoal,
f.iK'y will be deprived of their bad flavour; but ii
kept in the cask long afterwards, are voryaptto re-
sume the old ilavour.
DISTILLING,
Improvement of Smell and Taste cf common
Ardent Spirits.
By distilling eight ounces of common ardent spi-
rits (corn or malt spirits) over one ounce of charcoal
powder, the smell and taste are considerably im-
proved.
213. Tu improve the Flavour of Malt Spirits.
The flavour of malt spirits is said to be highly
improved, by putting three ounces and a half o?
finely powdered charcoal, and four ounces and a
half of ground rice, into a quart of spirits, and let-
ling it stand during fifteen days, frequently stirring
it; then let the liquor be strained, and it will be
found nearly of the same flavour as brandy.
244. Expeditious Method of distilling simple Wa-
ters,
Tie a piece of muslin, or gauze, over a glazed
earthen pot, whose mouth is just large enough to re-
ceive the bottom of a warming-pan; on this cloth
lay your herb clipped, whether mint, lavender, or
whatever else you please > then place upon them
the hot warming-pan, with live coals in it to cause
heat just enough to prevent burning, by which
means, as the steam issuing out of the herb cannot
mount upwards, by reason of the bottom of the pan
iust fitting the brim of the vessel below it, it must
j j
necessarily descend, and collect into wTiter at the
bottom of the receiver, and that strongly impregnat-
ed with the essential oil and salt of the vegetable
thus distilled ; which, if you want to makejspirituous,.
or compound water of, is easily done, by simly ad-
ding some good spirits, or French brandy to it, which
will keep good for a long time, and be much b.etter
than if the spirits had passed through a still, which,
must of necessity waste some of their strength,,
e should he taken not to let the fu-e bo too strong.
4'
>st it scorch the plants ; and to be inn do of char-
coal, for continuance and better regulation, which
must be managed by lifting up and laying down the
ltd, as you want to increase/)!' decrease the degrees
of heat. The deeper the earthen pan, the cooler the
season; and the less fire at first (afterwards to be
gradually raised), in the greater perfection will the
distiile.l water be obtained.
As the more moveable, or volatile parts of vege-
tables, are the aqueous, the oily, the gummy, t'
resinous, and the. saline, these are to be expected in
the waters of this process; the heat here employed
being so great as to burst the vessels of the plants,
some of which contain so large a quantity of oil,
that it may be seen swimming on the surface of the
water.
Medical waters thus procured will afford us near-
ly all the native virtues of vegetables and give us a
mixture of their several priwipN s, whence they in a
manner come up to the expressed juice or extract
L'aiuerl therefrom: and if brandy be at the same
time add.-vd to these distilled waters, so strongof oil
and salt, a compound, or spirituous water, may be
likewise procured, at a cheap and easy rate.
Although a small quantity only of distilled v;alrr
can be obtained at a time by this combined opera-
tion, yet it compensates in strength what is deficient
in quantity.
Such liquors, if well corked up from the air, will
eep L:ooJ a long time, especially if o!j-n;t a twenti-
eth part of any spirits be added, in onlev to preserve
te more effectually.
^DOMESTIC ECOXOJIV. loi<
CAAPTER XVI.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
245. To purify Infectious Air in a Room.
Fumigate the apartment with muriatic acid gas. 01
with a little oxymuriatic gas. Care must be taken
not to inhale the oxymuriate, as it is poison.
246. To preserve Fish and Meat in the Portuguese
Manner.
The Portuguese make a trade of what they call
pcsche molicz, which is fish cut in small pieces, with
salt and sugared tamarind. Fish thus preserved may
be carried to sea, and will not be found too salt.
Meat may also be thus preserved, by throwing away
the stones and strings of the tamarinds, and adding
a small portion of Cayenne pepper.
247. Easy Method of preserving Animal Food sweet
for several Days in the Height of Summer.
Veal, mutton, beef, or venison, may be kept for
nine or ten days perfectly sweet and good, in the
heat of summer, by lightly covering the same with
bran, and hanging it in a high and windy room ;
therefore, a cupboard full of small holes, or a wire
safe, so as the wind may have a passage through, is
recommended to be placed in such a room, to keep
away the flies.
243. To preserve Game in Hot Weather*
Game or poultry may be preserved for a long
time, by tying a string tight round the neck, so as to
exclude the air, and by putting a piece of charcoa?
into the vent*
I5o DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
?49. To preserve Meat by Treacle.
This experiment has been successfully tried in
^he following manner : A gentleman put a piece of
-beef into treacle, and turned it often. At the end of
a month he ordered it to be washed and boiled, and
-had the pleasure to find it quite good, and more
] Peasant than the same piece would have been in
salt for that time. But the expense of this method
must confine it to the opulent.
250. To preserve Beef and Mutton, in a sound Slui<-.
a Voyage to the West Indies.
As soon as the meat is cold it must be cut up in
quarters, and sprinkled with the following ingredi-
ents: liirnum vita-, in fine chips, one pound; com-
mon salt, four ounces ; coarse sugar, four ounces ;
salt prunella, half an ounce: when it has been well
sprinkled in, close the whole in sheet lead, lay it in
a chest, and fill it with fresh saw-dust. Meat so
}>i I'd has been kept two months in the finest
order. AVhcn taken out to be dressed it should be
wiped and scraped clean, and roasted as quick as
possible.
?51. The n --eft 1 1 Properties of Charcoal, for ?\'.ccten-
itig thr ilrcdth, cfi'fi,. /'//<-/ the Te<th. t\r.
All sorts of glass vessels and other utensils may
be purified from long retained smells of every kind,
in the easiest and most perfect manner, by rinsing
them out well with charcoal powder, after the gros-
ser impurities have been scoured oil' with sand and
potnsh. Rubbing the teeth, and washing out the
mouth, with line charcoal powder, will render the
teeth beautifully white, and the breath perfectly
sweet, where an offensive breath has been owing to
a scorbutic dispostion of the gums. Putrid water is
immediately deprived of its -offensive smell by char*
CoaL
DOMESTIC ficox'dtov-. 157
252. To sweeten Meat, Fish, <$-c. that is tainted.
When meat, fish, &c. from intense heat, or long
keeping, are likely to pass into a state of corruption,
a simple and pure mode of keeping them sound and
healthful is by putting a few pieces of charcoal, each
the size of an egg, into the pot or saucepan, where-
in the fish or flesh are to be boiled. Among others,
an experiment of this kind was tried upon a turbot,
which appeared to be too far gone to be eatable :
the cook, as advised, put three or four pieces oi
charcoal, each the size of an egg, under the strain-
er, in the fish kettle ; after boiling the proper time*
the turbot came to table perfectly sweet and firm.
253. To purify fly-blown Meat,
It has been successfully proved, by many exper-
i merits, that meat entirely fly-blown, has been suf-
ficiently purified to make good broth, and had not
a disagreeable taste, by being previously put into a
vessel containing a certain quantity of beer. The
liquor will become tainted, and have a putrid smell*
254. To cure tainted Fish.
Tainted fish may be much restored to its proper
flavour by mixing a quantity of vinegar and salt in
the water in which the fish is to be boiled.
To preserve Water and Meat, from Putrefac-
tion, in long Voyages,
The crews of the two Russian ships, which lately
sailed round the world, were extremely healthy*
During the whole three years of their voyage only
two men died of the crew of the Neva, and the Na-
% -3 ha did not lose a single man. It is already known
:it their fresh water was preserved in charred
casks, but it is not so generally known that they us-
l the same precaution for preserving their salted
provisions* The beef they carried out with them
, - ECOXu.Mi.
tasted as pleasantly upon their return. a 3 it diu lain.
years before, when first salted.
256. To detect Dampness m a BtJ.
Let your bed be first well warmed, arid immedi-
ately as the warming-pan is taken out, introduce be-
tween the sheets, in an inverted direction, a clcnr
glass goblet: after it has remained in that filiation
a few minutes, examine it ; if found dry. and not
tarnished with drops of wet, for there will often ap-
pear a slight cloud of steam, the bed i^ ?-ife ; but ii
drops of wet or damp adhere to the inside of the
glass, it is a certain sign of a damp bed. Even
wearing apparel, when on the person, will in most
parts of England, by the application of a warming-
. in gla?s with a Alight steam, but not drops oi
wii. ( >r. take oil* the sheet? and j>lecp in the blank-
'07. lliitfx on Warming r<l>-.
In taking the coals into the v, arming-pan, rcinov*.
therefrom any black coals in a burning state, and
scatter upon those in tho pan a little common salt:
this will correct the unhealthy sulphureous vapour
of the coals, and prevent their suffocating smell.
Beef Tta.
Take lean beef, a pound, cut it in thin slie;
put it into a quart of water, boil it a quarter oi' an
hour; then take out the meat, mince it small, and
boil it a quarter of an hour more, skimming it well.
'J59. Improvement m the J\L'nii^,-;n(:!:! f Bees.
The improvement is that of having double skcps
or hives, the one on the top of the other. When the
lower skep is filled with honey, it is to be removed
after the bees are admitted (through a passage which
is made to be opened) into the upper skep ; into
this skep food must be put, and the bees will remain
t?o;\isTic Ecoxoinr. 159
lucre, and go on with their work in it. When it is-
tilled with honey, the former skep, with food in it 7
:;iny be replaced, and the bees again admitted into
it. 'The full skep is then to be taken away. This
Change of the skens must always be made about
Midsummer; and by thus annually removing the full
one, more honey will be collected than is usual, and
the bees \viil not be destroyed.
..'GO. Approved Method of removing Becx.
Set the hive where there is only a glimmering
light ; turn it up ; the queen first makes her appear-
ance ; once in possession of her, you are master of
all the rest; put her into an empty hive, whither
she will be followed by the other bees.
^61. Useful Method of preserving Bees, as lately
adopted hi America.
Instead of destroying whole swarms in their
hives, to get the honey when the hives are full, they
h 1 ;! r them out into a fresh hive, while they take the
oinbs out of the old one; and they prevent their
perishing 'in winter by putting a great quantity of
i ,>:icy into a very wide earthen vessel, covering its
- iriace with paper, exactly fitted on, and pricked
: ;il of holes with a large pin ; this being pressed by
the weight of the bees keeps a fresh supply contin-
ually arising. Their most fatal destruction by se-
> ere cold they prevent, by taking as many large
subs as they have hives, and knocking out the
iieads, they set 'the other end in the ground, laying
a bed of dry earth or chopped hay in it, of six inch-
es deep ; over this they place the head knocked
out, and then make a small wooden trough for the
passage of the bees; this is transfixed through a
hole cut through each side cf the tub, at such a
height as to lay on the false bottom, on which is
placed the; covered dish of honey for the food of thf-
; Cv DOMESTIC ECON T 03i i .
jees, leaving a proper space over this~cov;cred w;
= trong matting: they then fill up the tub with more
dry earth, or chopped hay, heaping it up in the
form of a cone, to keep out the rain, and wrcathi;
'I over with straw on account of the warmth. This
method is so secure, that out of a hundred tubs, a
:-w winters since, when this experiment was tried,
not one of them was known to fail. The quantity of.
honey this way obtained has been amazing, and be-
sides, must every year increase, wherever the ex-
iinple is followed.
Qh'uiese Method of mending China.
Take apiece of flint-glass, beat it to a fine pow-
, and grind it well with the white of an egg, and
it joins china without rivellin.c:, so that no art can
break it in the same place. You are to observe,
it the composition is to be ground extremely fine-
vii a painter's stone.
26.5. To discover Vitriol i/i F> -.
\ decoction of galls will tu;-n it blackish, if this
he the case.
-Cl. Excellent Substitute for Table Beer.
As small beer is apt to become sour in w-irm
ather, a pleasant beer may be made, by adding
to a bottle of porter ten quarts of water, and a
pound of brown sugar or molasses. After they have
been well mixed, pour the liquor into bottles, and
place them, loosely corked, in a cool cellar. In two
or three days it will be fit for use. A spoonful of
Jnger, added to the mixture, renders it more lively
and agreeable to the taste. This mi^ht be adoptee!
in the navy instead of grog.
265. To make good Spruce Btcr.
This cheap and wholesome liquor is thus made :
take of water sixteen gallons^, and boil the half of
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 161
it ; put the water thus boiled, while in full heat, to
the reserved cold part, which should be previously
put into a barrel or other vessel ; then add 1G
pounds of treacle or molasses, with a few table-
spoonfuls of the essence of spruce, stirring the
whole well together; add half a pint of yeast, and
keep it in a temperate situation, with the bung-hole
open, for two days, till the fermentation be abated ;
then close it up, or bottle it off, and it will be fit to
drink in a few days afterwards. In North America,
and perhaps in other countries, where the black and
white spruce firs abound, instead of adding the es-
sence of the spruce at the same time with the molas-
ses, they make a decoction of the leaves and small
branches of these trees, and find the liquor equally
good.
It is a powerful antiscorbutic, and may prove ve-
ry useful in a long sea voyage.
28G. New-Invented Composition to be used instead of
Ye as to
To make eight quarts of this composition, boil in
common water eight pounds of potatoes, as for eat-
ing; bruise them perfectly smooth, and mix with
them, whilst warm, two ounces of honey, or any
other sweet, and one quart (being the eighth part ot
a gallon of yeast) of common yeast. And, for mak-
ing bread, mix three beer pints of the above com-
position with a bushel of flour, using warm water in
making the bread ; the water to be warmer in win-
ter than in summer; and the composition to be used
in a few hours after it is made ; and as soon as the
sponge (the mixture of the composition with the
flour) begins to fall the first time, the bread should
be made and put in the even.
767. To make Bottles JKr-tiglic,
This may be done without luting or grinding, and
consists in only having a groove round the nee Is,.
9 3.'
IS2 DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
into which the cap fits, so that the groove c ^
charged with water or mercury.
263. To loosen the Glass Stopples of Smell m
tics and Decanters.
With a feather rub a drop or two of or , l
round the stopple, close to the mouth of thc-
or decanter, which must be then placed be ft-,
fire, at the distance of a foot or eighteen inc'
C > "1 |y hO f]
which position the heat will cause the oil to |, 7)
downward bel ween the stopple and the ncrk.
the bottle or decanter has errown warm, gentl*. \
* 1 i h *~4 M \-'
the stopple on one side, and on the other vr , " /
light wooden instrument; then try it with thf
If it will not yet move, place it again befr 10 .,, 1
fire, adding, if you choose, another drop of oil* . c
^^ ~*\*oi*iri TT*
a while strike again as before : and by prrsf
O / J IllOX7 l"^/4
in this process, however tightly the stopple
fastened in, you will at length succeed in lo^ 5
it.
9GO. Another Mtlwd.
Rub the neck of the bottle up and down Wlt " a
M f\ \r f\ T* \ r
small key, hitting the head of the stoppe
time, which will in general loosen it.
270. Improved Corks for preserving Wine
mical Liquors. ,
Melt together two parts of white wax a n
part of beef suet: dip your corks in this r llixture '
'* f 1 I I'/"\T
and immediately dry them in a stove upon ' ,
plate; repeat this operation twice, and th e
thus prepared will preserve any liquor well *
imparting any ill flavour thereto.
?71. To judge of the Quality of Wheat Flol ir *
As the state of wheat is ascertained by t
'ity and quality of the glutinous matter it c
DOMESTIC ECONOMV,
tae following method is made use of fur extracting
that matter from it :
Take four ounces of the flour of wheat, separat-
ed from the bran : let it be mixed with water so as
to form a thick paste, which must be thoroughly
kneaded for a quarter of an hour. The paste is aft-
erwards to be w r ell washed, continually kneading it
with the hands under the water, and chancing the
C> O
water from time to time. This, washing and knead-
ing are to be continued until the water no longer
becomes white by the operation ; the glutinous
matter, which is of a whitish grey colour, then re-
mains in the hands. If the wheat was sound the
matter is glutinous and elastic, if the wheat was
heated the matter will be brittle, if the wheat was in
a. state of fermentation no glutinous matter will be
obtained from it.
272. To disvover whether Flour be adulterated witk
Whitening or Chalk.
Mix with the flour some juice of lemon or gootl
vinegar; if the flour be pure they will remain to-
gether at rest, but if there be a mixture of whitening.
or chalk, a fermentation, or working like 'yeast,
will ensue. The adulterated meal is whiter and hea-
vier than the good. The quantity that an ordinary
tea-cup will contain has been found to weigh more
than the quantity of genuine flour by four drachms
and nineteen grains troy.
273. Another.
Pour boiling water on some slices of bread, and
then drop in some spirit of vitriol. This will pro-
duce a violent hissing and ebullition, if there be any.
of the above ingredients. For quicker dispatch, the
vitriol may be poured on the bread itself. Vinegar
and juice of lemons will have the same effect, but.
; >n a slighter degree,
164 DOME-: riC "ECONOMY.
274. To discover if Bread is adulterate! uiln Ainu.
Make a solution of lime in aquafortis, and put a
little of this solution into water, in which you have
steeped the bread suspected to contain alum. If
such should be the case, the acid, \vhich was com-
bined with the alum, will forma precipitate or chalk)
concretion at the bottom of the vessel.
275. To preserve Biscuit from Put refaction .
To preserve biscuit a long time sweet and good,
no other art is necessary than stowing it well baked
in casks exactly caulked, and carefully lined with
tin, so as to exclude the air; at the same time the
'tiscuit must be so placed as to leave as little vacan-
room as possible in the cask ; and when the same is
opened through necessity, it must be speedily clos-
ed again with great care.
27 f). To prctrrvp Sea-Bread from the Weevil.
The fatal effects of the weevil in sea-bread hav
idn;r been severely felt by seamen employed on long
voyages; rewards have been humanely offered by
the legislature for a cure or preventive) but hitherto
'-vitiiotit success.
The following fact was discovered by accident,
and is now offered to the public as a hint worthy
the attention of those who may be employed in sup
plying ships with provisions, or to captains, and the
owners of vessels, and may, in all probability, les-
sen, if not wholly remove, an inconvenience so in-
jurious to our valuable navigation. A bag belonging
to a powder-mill fell into a quantity of liquid nitre ;
it was immediately taken out, plunged into cold wa-
ter, and hung to dry ; several da\ s after this cir-
cumstance the bag was filled with sca-l itcuits, and
sent on board a West Indiaman, where it was stow-
ed away among the captain's stock. The vessel
"vas nine months outoi England before she proc'
DOMESTIC KCOXOMY.
M on her passage home, when she got becalmed,
and remained so long in that situation that her crew
was forced to be put on half allowance, more partic-
ularly so, as their bread was much destroyed by
;hc weevils, and was hourly consuming. The cap-
'ain at this time wishing to make use of the bag a-
bove-mentioned, which had not been opened since
'lie ship left England, ordered it to be examined,
v/hcn, greatly to his surprise, the whole contents
were found to be perfectly sound, without any ap-
pearance of having been injured by any insect what-
ever ; a circumstance solely to be attributed to the
quality of the bag.
277. To make Artificial or Potatoe Bread,
Put a pound of potatoes in a net. into a skillet
with cold water, and (lest the skin break, and let in
the water) hang it at a distance (so as not to boil)
ever the fire till they become soft ; then skin, mash,
and rub them so as to be well mixed with a pound of
ilour, a very large spoonful of salt, and two large
spoonfuls of yeast; but less of the yeast is better-
Then add a little warm water, and knead it up as
other dough ; lay it a little while before the fire to
iL-nnent or rise, then bake it in a very hot oven.
Bread made in this manner has been frequently tri-
ed, and found to be well-tasted, wholesome, and of
rood contistence.
C?
:273. Bread made rom the Water Gladioh.
T
he root of the flowering rush, or water gladiole,
when dried and ground, makes a bread but little in-
ferior in colour, nutriment, or taste, to that made
from wheaten flour. It is the common food of the
Calmucs, and, in deficient harvests, is used in
of the northern parts of the continent,
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
279. F> rnivil for Bread, uxed by the Inhabitants of
Long Lt<t:id in the State of S\':w-York.
Take as many hops ns may be hcLl between the
ihu;::!> and three finders; put them info a pint and
;i half or a ciuart oi' water, and boil them well to;.
ther. If you have some apples, or a pumpkin, in '
c, cut a few slices of cither of ihe-v. an >w
in, and it \vill be ai! the belter. Then j our t!u I
Huor o;K or Miciin it throiJi^h a coarse cloth, an i !
three or four spoonfi.l- of Miolasscs, and s '
niihjh iluur as will mingle with it to the consUif?!
of thin batter. Set the whole in the corner of the
kitchen fire-place, or in any temperature of mode-
rate warmth, until a fermentation tnkes ]!.u c. \vi,;rb.
will h;t j ']>'.') in a few hours, and then mix it AY-
lion i'.
( :;)- will be sufficient for one bal:i:\. r a fai
ly of eight or ten persons.
'J. f :n. New Method of making Flonr K
Take turnips, potatoes. prfrFiiii.- and \\i,itc IM ii
rind or grate them fine ; then put the sul lanc<
to water, and let it remain thereii several hours;
then strain oil* the water, and a'i ! iV* 'h \\j-iriii
quantity sufficient to cover tu- > e. COM;:
torepeiit this process until the water pours off quite
clear. 'J h- n str.iin and press the water from (JK- \
getable su!r-tance. which is to be dried on a kiln, < i
uthcr jM'opcr convenience. When the substance i>
<Hiite dry. r ; - rind it in a corn or other proper mill,
until it becomes fine flour. Kithcr of the above ve-
getables alone, or any two or more of them mixed
together, and prepared as before specified. \vil! an-
swer for the purpose. The foregoing description is
for the making coarse or common flour; wh;T, the
best or fine flour is to be made, pare or peel the rind
elf the vegetables before they are ground or grated
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 167
Then pursue the same process as wiih the coarse or
common /lour.
281. Improved Method of sailing Butter and Meat.
Best common salt two parts, saltpetre one part,
sugar one part; beat them up together, so that they
may be completely blended. To every sixteen oun-
ces of butter add one ounce of the composition ; mix
it well in the mass, and close it up for use. It
should not be used for a month, that it may be tho-
roughly incorporated. Butter, thus cured, has been
kept for three years perfectly sweet. Keep the air
from it, or it spoils. Cover it with an oiled paper,
and a board on that.
To cure meat, add one ounce of the above com-
position to every sixteen ounces of meat. It must be
rery well rubbed into the meat. You cannot have it
too finely powdered, nor too well rubbed into the
meat.
282. Method of curing bad Tub Butter.
A quantity of tub butter was brought to market
in the West Indies, which, on opening, was found
to be very bad, and almost stinking. A native of
Pennsylvania undertook to cure it, which he did, in
the following maner:
fie started the tubs of butter in a large quantity
of hot water, which soon melted the butter : he then
skimmed it off as clean as possible, and worked it
over ao-ain in a churn, and with the addition of salt
^j J
and fine sugar, the butter was sweet and good.
283. Method for taking the Rrinkntss and disagree-
able, Taste from Irish Salt Butter.
The quantity proposed to be made use of, either
for toasts or melting, must be put into a bowl filled
with boiling water, and ^yhen the butter is melted,
skim it quite off; by this method it is so separated
from any gross particles, that it may require a sma!! * *
Itio DOMESTIC ECONOMY*
addition of sail, which may be put into the cold
ter that is made use of in melting butter for sauce ^
and though the butter is oiled by hot water, it be-
comes a fine cream in the boiling for sauce.
284. To remove the Taste of Tumijts from J\Jt/k or
Butter.
The taste of the turnip is easily taken off milk and
butter, by dissolving a little nitre in spring \vat
which being kept in a bottle, and a small tea-cup-
ful put into eight gallons of milk, when warm from
the cow, entirely removes any taste or flavour of the
turnip.
"j To make .v/// nutter
Put four pounds of sail butter into a churn, with
four quarts ni new milk, and a small portion of ar-
lio! In. (Jmrn them together, and. in about an hour,
xc out the butter. ;md treat it exactly as fresh but-
,hing it in water, and adding the caslom-
iiy of -alt.
i ;i singular experiment. The lr.U? or "a ins
boul :: i'ec ounces in ench pound, and is in i
lar equal to fresh butter, li would >.
rv<vcd by the addition of two or t !
. r, in po\\der. A comir.on
le same pur.poxc- as a i . . ai.d
"d at any pot
('// nv.:
'C young shoots and leave-- !ed, c
ly be distinguished from s;
aic- equally wholesome*
< . To jjn-:cii/ Ciii/Jri nfrom
quickly*
Children, when very young, gel
eating their food loo quicCTJ , : . rti<
Bother subtam i iiichi !
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 169
their acquiring this habit, amusing devices might
be employed, as cutting an apple, a pear, a piece
of cake, or any other article of the same sort, into a
number of pieces, arranging them in lines like an
army, with one as an officer in the centre, and tel-
ling them that the whole army must be devoured,
piece by piece, and in a regular manner! This inte-
rests little children so much, that they soon prefer
it to a more speedy mode of consumption.
288. To prevent the Formation of Crust upon the In-
side of Tea-settles.
Pufrjjnto the tea-kettle a flat oyster shell, and keep
it constantly there, it will attract the stony particles
that are in the water, to itself, and prevent their
forming upon the tea-kettle.
Or, as the shell occasions a disagreeable noise,
regularly clean the inside of the kettle. No crust
forms on common saucepans which are cleaned
whenever they are used.
289. To make Chocolate from Cocoa Nuts.
Chocolate is made of the smd-ft cocoa bean sepa-
rated from its shells, which being first coarsely
pounded in a stone mortar, is afterwards levigated
on a slab of the finest grained marble ; to this a small
quantity of vanilla is added. The mixture is heat-
ed, and put into tin moulds of the size rh which the
cakes appear.
290. ' Coffee.
The infusion or decoction of the roasted seeds of
the coffee-berry, when not too strong, is a whole-
some, exhilarating, and strengthening beverage; and
when mixed with a large proportion of milk, is a
proper article of diet for literary and sedentary
people. It is especially suited to persons advanced
in years. People who are bilious and liable to cos-
tiveness should abstain from it. When drank very
p
~i70 JJOMLVriC JEXUAOUi .
strong, it proves stimulating and heating in a
erable degree, creating thirst and producing watch-
fulness. By an abusive indulgence in this drink, the
organs of digestion are impaired, the appetite is
destroyed, nutrition is impeded, and emaciation, ge-
neral debility, paralytic affections, and nervous fe-
ver, are brought on.
J91. The Virtues of Coffee.
Coffee accelerates digestion, corrects crudities,
removes cholic and flatulencies. It mitigates head
aches, cherishes the animal spirits, takes away list-
iessness and languor, and is serviceable in^all ob-
structions arising from languid circulation. It is a
wonderful restorative to emaciated constitutions,
*nd highly refreshing to the studious and sedentary.
The habitual use of coffee would greatly promote
sobriety, being in itself a cordial stimulant ; it is a
most powerful antidote to the temptation of spiritu-
ous liquors.
It will be found a welcome beverage to the ro-
bust labourer, who would despise a lighter drink.
292. Turkish or Arabian Mode of preparing Coffee.
The coffcc ground or beaten to an impalpable
powder is preserved, by closely pressing it down in
a wooden box ; and the quantity required for use is
scraped from the surface by means of a woodt-i;
spoon. Two small coflee-pots arc employed ; in one
is boiled the water, generally mixed with the re-
maining coifee of a former meal ; in the other is put
the fresh powder, which is sometimes placed near
the fire, to become heated before the boiling water
is added to it. The mixture is then boiled two or
three times, taking care to pour a few drops of cold
water upon it the last time, or to place a cloth dip-
ped in cold water over it ; then it is allowed to sub-
side, and afterwards poured into the coffee-pot which
contained only the boiling water*
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 1?I
N. B. The quantity of coffee powder necessary
to make a fine strong tincture of coffee may be esti-
mated as one coffee-cup of coffee powder, to three
dishes of proper coffee-liquor for the table.
293. Cheap and valuable Substitute for Coffee.
The (lour of rye, and English yellow potatoes, are
found an excellent substitute for coffee. These in-
gredients are first boiled, then made into a cake,
vhich is to be dried in an oven, and afterwards re-
duced to a powder, which will make a beverage ve-
ry similar to coffee in its taste, as well as in other
properties, and not in the least detrimental to health*
294. Excellent Substitute for Coffee.
The seeds of the flower de luce, or common yel-
low water flag, being roasted in the same manner as
coffee, very much resemble it in colour and flavour,
but have something more of a saccharine odour,
approaching to that of extract of liquorice. When
carefully prepared they possess much more of the
aroma of coffee than is to be found in any of the le-
guminous and gramineous seeds that have been
treated in the .same manner. Coffee made of these
seeds is extremely wholesome and nutricious, in the
proportion of half an ounce, or an ounce, to a pint
of boiling water.
.;95. Another.
The seeds of foreign grapes have lately been dis-
covered to be an excellent substitute for coffee..
When pressed, they first produce a quantity of oil,
and afterwards, when roasted and boiled, furnish a
liquid much resembling that produced from coffee.
The practice is rapidly becoming general in. Get-
many.
5.96. dcorn Coffee.
Take sound and ripe acorns, peel off the shell or
l7J DOMESTIC ECO\OMt .
Musky divide the kernels, dry them gradually, and
hen roast them in a close vessel or roaster, keeping
ihem continually stirring: in doing which special
care must be taken (hat they be not burnt or roast-
^d too much, both which would be hurtful.
Take of these roasted acorns (ground like Othci
coffee) half an ounce every other morning and even-
ing alone mixed with a drachm of other coffee, and
reetened with sugar, with or without milk.
T ( t is recommended by a famous Ger-
man physician, as a much esteemed, wholesome,
noun :>.^hcning nutriment for mankind:
whi-'.h, . ;;:inal qualities, has been found
.ructions in the viscera, and to
]T-- nr-rvcus complaints when other medicines
rk.- :.. th< reas taken off, -West Ih-
dia cofi' ap that substitutes are not irorth
I-. . On i!, I ;'') roasted roots of the
wild ST. a . -...uiiOM wood have been used witli
,
O
'7. ,'ng
To valetudinarians and others, the following me-
tliod of making cofl'cc lor breakfast is earncstlv re-
O
commended as a most wholesome and pleasant jen-
Utcular bexeragr. first OlVJered by an able physician.
Let one ounce of (Vc>h ground coffee be put into.
a cican coffee-pot, or other proper vr-ssel well tin-
ned : pour a pint a*nd a quarter of boiling water
upon it, set it on the fire, let it boil thoroughly, and
afterwards put by to settle ; this should be done on
the preceding night, and on the following morning
pour off the clear liquor ; add to it one pint of new
milk; set it again over the fire, but do not let it
boil. Sweetened to every person's t'iste, coffee thus
m.tclf: is a most wholesome and agreeable break-
fast. summer or winter, with toast, breac] a:
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 173
ter, rusks, biscuits, &c. This process takes off that
raw, acidous, and astringent quality of the coffee,
which makes it often disagree with weak stomachs.
It should not be drank too warm.
A gentleman of the first fortune in the kingdom,
after a variety of medical applications in vain, was
restored to health by applying to the above bever-
age morning and afternoon.
An improved Method of making the Coffee Bev cr-
ave. To an ounce of coffee add a common tea-
O
spoonful of the best flour of mustard seed, previous
to the boiling. To those unacquainted with the me-
thod, it is inconceivable how much it improves the
iragrancy, .fineness, transparency, and gratefully
quick flavour of the beverage, and probably too it
adds to its wholesomeness,
298. To preserve Eggs for a Length of Time.
Put an egg for one minute in water just about to
boil, (it will not in that time be too hard) and it will
afterwards keep well for a month. Steep one a little
while in sweet oil, and it will keep for half a year.
299. Best Method of deeming fine Block-tin Dish
Covers,. Patent Pewter, &c,
Where the polish is gone off, let the- articles be
first rubbed over -the outside with a little sweet oi! 3
on a piece of soft linen cloth ; then clear it off with
dry pure whitening, quite free from sand, on linen
cloths, which will make them look as well as when
new. The iusides should be rubbed with ragsmoist=
ened in wet whitening, but without a drop of oiL
Always wiping these articles dry, when brought
from table, and keeping them free from steam or
other damp, greatly facilitates the trouble of clean-
ing them.,
300. Cleaning Floor Cloths,
After sweeping and cleaning the floor cloths with
- O
174 DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
a broom and damp flannel, in the usual manner, wet
them over with milk, and rub them till beautifully
bright, with a dry cloth. They will thus look as
well as if they were rubbed first with a waxed flan-
nel, and afterward with a dry one ; without being ^>
slippery, or so soon clogging with dust or dirt.
301. To clean Gold and Silver Lace.
Sew the lace in linen cloth, and boil it in a pint
of water, and two ounces of soap ; and then wash
the lace in water.
302. To restore the Lustre of Glasses tarnished
Age or Accident.
Strew on them powdered fuller's-eartb, carefully
cleared from sand, &c. and rub them carefully
with a linen cloth. Oxide of tin (putty) would per-
haps be better.
JOS. To clean Hint Glass Bottles, Decanters, &c*
4-c.
Roll up, in small pieces, some whited-bfown or
blotting-paper ; then wet and soap the same; put
them into the vessel, with a little luke-wann water;
shake them well for a few minutes; then rinse the
glass with clean water, and it will be as bright and
clear as when new from the shops.
304. To cltan .Mahogany Furniture.
Three pennyworth of alkanet root, one pint 01
cold drawn linseed oil, two pennyworth of rose pink;
put these into a pan, and let them stand all night :
then take some of this mixture, rub it over the tables
or chairs, and let it remain one hour ; then take a li-
nen cloth and rub it well off, and it will leave a beau-
tiful gloss on the furniture.
If the pinky shade occasioned by the alkanet root
and pink is disagreeable, they may be omitted in
part or entirely,
IKK'IESTiC ECONOMY, 175
30b. To deem Turkey Carpets.
To revive the colour of a Turkey carpet, beat it
well with a stick till the dust is all got out; then,
with a lemon or sorrel juice, take out the spots of
ink, if the carpet be stained with any ; wash it in
cold water, and afterwards shake out ail the water
from the threads of the carpet. When it is thorough-
ly dry, rub it all over with the crumb of a hot wheat-
eri loaf; and, if the weather is very fine, hang it out
in the open air a night or two.
306. To clean Marble.
Take a bullock's gall, a gill of soap lees, half a
gill of turpentine, and make it into a paste with pipe
clay; then apply it to the marble, and let it dry a
day or two ; then rub it off; and, if not clean,, ap-
ply it a second or third time until it is clean.
307. Another.
Muriatic acid, either diluted or pure, as occasion
may require, prove efficacious. If too strong it will
deprive the marble of its polish, which may be ea-
sily restored by the use of a piece of felt, with some
powder of putty or tripoli, with either making use
of water.
308. To dean Alabaster or Marble.
Beat pumice stones to an impalpable powder, and
mix it up with verjuice ; let it stand for two hours ;
then dip it into a sponge, and rub the marble or ala-
baster, wash it with a linen cloth and fresh water>
and dry it with clean linen rags.
309. Mixture for cleaning Stone Stairs, Hall Pare-
ments, <^c.
Boil together half a pint each of size and stone
blue water, with two table-spoonfuls of whiting, and
two cakes of pipemakers clay, in about two quarts
of water. Wash the stones over with a flannel slight-
176 DOMESTIC Ecoxony.
ly wetted in this mixture ; and, when dry, rub them
with flannel and a brush. Some persons recommend
beer, but water is much better for the purpose.
310. The Danger of Children eating gift Ginger-
bread, or any Article covered with tuch a Compo-
sition.
There are frequently sold eatable things, as ima-
ges of sugar, &c. having on them what people ima-
gine to be gold leaf, but which is, in reality, leaves
of copper, beat out in imitation of if, which is so
dangerous a poison as to demand (he interference
of government, to prevent the sale of such articles ;
irreparable mischief having been occasioned with-
out suspicion of the cause.
311. Va rn /.vA fo r Fu mil urc .
To one part of virgin's white wax add eight parts
of oil of petroleum ; lay a slight coat of this mixture
on the wood with a badgers brush, while a little
warm ; the oil will then evaporate, and leave a thin
coat of wax, which should afterwards be polished
witha coarse woolen cloth.
312. German Furniture Gloss, or Polishing Waxfof
Mahogany, 4'C.
Cut in small pieces a quarter of a pound of yel-
ow wax; and, melting it in a pipkin, add an ounce
of well pounded colophony, or black resin. The
wax and colophony being both melted, pour in, by
-Vgrecs, ouite warm, tuo ounces of oil or spirit 01"
'urpentine. When the whole is thoroughly mixed,
pour it into a tin or earthen pot, and keep it cover-
ed for use. The method of applying it to '.he furni-
ture, which must be first well dusted and cleaned, is
by spreading a little of this composition on a piece
of woolen cloth, and well rubbing the wool with it;
and, in a few days, the gloss will be as firm and :'
as varnish.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 177'
Ji3. .Method of cleaning and polishing Rusty SteeL
After well oiling the rusty parts of the steel, let it
remain two or three days in that state; then wipe
it dry with clean rags, and polish with emery or
pumice-stone, on hard wood. Frequently, however,
a littie unslacked lime, finely powdered, will be suf-
ficient after the oil is cleaned off. Where a very highi
degree of polish is requisite, it will "be tnost effectu-
ally obtained by using a paste composed of finely
levigated blood-stone and spirits of wine. Bright
bars, however, are admirably cleaned, in a few mi-
nutes, by using a small portion of fine corned eme-
ry, and afterwards finishing with flour of emery or
rotten-stone; all of which may be had at any iron-
monger's. This last very simple method will, per-
haps, render any other superfluous.
214. Easy Method of cleaning Paper Hangings,.
Cut into eight half quarters, a quartern loaf two
days old ; it must neither be newer nor staler. With-
ouc of these pieces, after having blown off all the
dust from the paper to be cleaned by means of a
good pair of bellows, begin at the top, of the room ;
holding the crust in the hand, and wiping lightly
downward with the crumb, about half a yard at each
stroke, till the upper part of the hangings is com-
pletely cleaned all round. Then go again round,,
with the like sweeping stroke downward, always
commencing each successive course a little higher
than the upper stroke had extended, tii! the bottom
be mushed. This operation, if carefully performed,
will frequently mske very old paper look almost
equal to new. Great caution must be used not by
a-ny means to rub the paper hard, nor to attempt
cleaning it the cross or horizontal way. The dirty
part of the bread, too, must be each time cut away,
3-ncl the pieces renewed as soon as at all
D M E 5 T 1 C E C ON U M Y .
"
o. To preserve Metals from
Anoint them with spermaceti oil.
31 G. For cleaning Steel or Iron-polished Stores.
Stoves may be admirably cleaned in n fc\v min
.itcs, by using a small portion of fine corned emery-
^'one ; nnd afterwards finishing with Hour of emery
->r rotten-stone, either of which may be obtained a:
'my ironmonger's.
; 1 7. To clean Iron from fluff.
Pound some glass to fine powder; and having
nailed some strong linen or woollen cloth upon ;
board, lay upon it a strong coat of gum- water, and
sift thereon some of your powdered glass, and let it
Iry; repeat this operation three times, and when
rhc last covering of powdered glass is dry, you may
asily rub off the rust from iron utensils, with the
'loth thus prepared.
318. Plow to judge the Properties of Nutmegs.
The largest, heaviest, and most unctuous of nut-
megs arc to be chosen, such as arc the shape of an
olive, and of the most fragrant smell.
.'19. To. take the Smell of Put/it from Roar,. ,
Let three or four broad tubs, each containing a-
nout eight gallons of \vntcr, and one ounce oi' vitri-
olic acid, bo placed in the iifw painted room, n-
the wainscot; this water will absorb and retain th<
t -ffluvia from the paint in three days, but the water
should be renewed each day during that time.
320. Mctlirjtl of ma.':i,ig Hilton Chcctc.
Take the night's cream, and put it to the morn-
ing's new milk, with the rennet ; when the curd is
come, it is not to be broken, as is done with othci
cheeses, but take it out with a soil dish ylto^eihe;-.
1 place it on n. sieve to drain gradually, and, ?.-
DOMESTIC ECONOMi. !7t*
u drains, keep gradually pressing it -till it becomes
firm and dry ; then place it in a wooden hoop-, aft-
erwards to be kept dry on boards, turned frequent-
ly, with cloth-binders round it, which are to be tight-
ened as occasion requires.
In some dairies the cheeses, after being taken
out of the wooden hoop, are bound tight round
with a cloth, which cloth is changed every day un-
til the cheese becomes firm enough to support itself:
after the cloth is taken away, they are rubbed eve-
ry day all over, for two or three months, with a
brush ; and if the weather is damp or moist, twice
a day; and even before the cloth is taken off, the
top and bottom are well rubbed every day.
N. B. The dairy-maid must not be disheartened
if she does not perfectly succeed in her first attempt.,
321. Colouring for Cheese.
The colouring for cheese is, or at least should be,
Spanish annotto; but, as soon as colouring became
general in this country, a colour of an adulterated
kind was exposed for sale in almost every shop :
the weight of guinea and a half of real Spanish an-
notto is sufficient for a cheese of fifty pounds weight.
-If a considerable part of the cream of the night's
milk be taken for butter, more colouring will be re-
quisite. The leaner the cheese is the more colour-
ing it requires. The manner of using annotto, is to
tie up, in a lir>en rag, the quantity deemed sufficient,
and put it into half a pint of warm water over night.
This infusion is put into the tub of milk, in the
morning, with the rennet infusion ; dipping the rag
into the milk, and rubbing it against the palm of
the hand as long as any colour runs out.
322. To fatten Poultry.
Poultry should be fattened in coops, and kept,
very clean. They should be furnished with gravel,
JU DOMBSTIC ECONOMY.
but with no water. Their only food, bariey-meai)
mixed so thi-n with water as to serve them for drink.
Their thirst makes them eat more than they would,
in order to extract the water that is among the food.
This should not be put in troughs, but laid upon a
board, which should be clean washed every time
fresh food is laid upon it. It is foul and heated wa-
ter which is the sole cause of the pip.
323. A new M'thod of rearing Poultry to Advan-
tage ; communicated by Mrs. D^Oylfy to the 'Socie-
ty of Art?, c-c.
c/ */ '
" I keep a large stock of poultry, which are re-
gularly fed in a morning upon steamed potatoes
chopped small, and at noon they have barley : they
tire in high condition, tractable, and lay a very
_jval quantity of eggs. In the poultry yard is a
L-mall building, similar to a pigeon cote, for the
hens to lav in, with frames covered with net to slide
J
before each nest ; the house is dry, light, and well
ventilated, kept free from dirt, by having the n"sts
and walls white-washed two or -three times a year,
and the floor covered once a week with fresh ashes ;
when I wish to procure chickens, I take the oppor-
tunity of selling many hen- together, confining each
to her rcsprotive nest ; a boy attends morning and
evening to let any off that appear restless, and to
sec that they return to their proper places ; when
they hatch, the chickens ore taken away, and a
second lot of r<rgs allowed them to set again, by
which: means they produce as numerous a brood as
before ; I put the chickens into long wicker cages,
placed against a hot wall, at the back of the kitch-
en fire, and within them are artificial mothers for
the chickens to run under; thry ore made of boards
about ten inches broad, and fiflt.en inches long, sup-
ported by two feel in the front, four inches in height,
and by a board at the back two inches in height.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 193
ai)le distance from the smoke of any town, to catch
the rain as it falls from the clouds. The water
should be put into perfectly clean bottles, and the
corks well secured with wax, and if the bottles are
put into a cool place, the water will keep sweet for
several years.
349. To purify River or any other Muddy Water.
Dissolve half an ounce of alum in a pint of warm
water, and stirring it about in a puncheon of water
just taken from any river, all the impurities will soon
settle to the bottom, and in a day or two it will be-
come as clear as the finest spring water.
350. Warm Water.
Warm water is preferable to cold water, as a
drink, for persons who are subject to dyspeptic and
bilious complaints, and it may be taken more freely
than cold water, and consequently answers better as
a diluent for carrying off bile, and removing obstruc-
tions in the urinary secretion in cases of stone and
gravel. When water, of a temperature equal to that
of the human body, is used for drink, it proves con-
siderably stimulant, and is particularly suited to
dyspeptic, bilious, gouty, and chlorotic subjects.
35 1 . To make Sea- Water Jit for washing Linen at
Sea.
Soda put into sea-water, renders it turbid ; the
lime and magnesia fall to the bottom. To make sea-
water fit for washing linen at sea, as much soda
must be put in it, as not only to effect a complete
precipitation of these earths, but to render the sea-
water sufficiently lixivial or alkaline. Soda should
always be taken to sea for this purpose.
2. Proper Method of making Toast and Water, and
the Advantages resulting therefrom.
Take a slice of line and stale loaf-bread, cut ve-
il
191 DOMESTIC ECOMOMY.
ry thin, (as thin as toast is ever cut,) and let it be
carefully toasted on both sides, until it be completely
browned aft over, but.no wise blackened or burned
in any way. Put this into a common deep stone or
china jug, and pour over it, from the tea-kettle, as
much clean boiling water as you wish to make into
drink. Much depends on the water being actually
in a boiling state. Cover the jug with a saucer or
}>late, and let the drink cool until it be quite cold;
it is then fit to be used : the fresher it is made tlit,
better, and of course the more agreeable. The a-
bove will be found a pleasant, light, and highly diu-
retic drink. It is .peculiarly grateful to the stomach,
and excellent for carrying on the effects of any ex-
ss in drinking. It is also a most excellent drink
at meals, and may be used in the summer time, if
more agreeable to the drinker.
353. To make a V -filttr'tn? \l\tttr.
V/here* water is to be filtered in large quantity
as for the purposes of a family, a particular kind of
soft, spongy stones, called filtering-stones, are em-
ployee). These, however, though the water perco-
lates through them very fine, and in sufficient quan-
tity at first, are liable to be obstructed in the same
manner as paper, and are then rendered useless. A
better method seems to be, (o have a wooden vessel
lined with lead, three or four feet wide at top, but
tapering so as to end in a small orifice at the bot-
tom. The under part of the vessel is to be filled
\\uli very rough sand, or gravel, well freed from
earth by washing ; over this pretty fine sand may-
be laid, to the depth of twelve or fourteen inches,
but which must likewise be well freed from earthy
particles.
The vessel may then be filled up to the top with
water, pouring it gently at first, lest the sand should
be too much displaced. It will soon filter through
DOMESTIC ECONOMY, 195
ihc sand, and run out at the lower orifice exceeding-
ly transparent, and likewise in very considerable
juantities. When the upper part of the sand begins
to be stopped up, so as not to allow a free passage
to the water, it may occasionally be taken off, and
the earthy matter washed from it, when it will be
equally serviceable as before.
354. The Turkish Method of filtering water by As-
cension.
They make two wells, from five to ten feet, or
any depth, at a small distance, which have a com-
munication at the bottom. The separation must be
of clay well beaten, or of other substances impervi-
ous to water. The two wells are then filled with
sand and gravel. The opening of that into which
the water to be filtered is to run, must be somewhat
higher than that into which the water is to ascend ;
and this must not have sand quite up to its brim,
that there may be room for the filtered water ; or it
may, by a spout, run into a vessel placed for that
purpose. The greater the difference is between the
height of the two wells, the faster the water will fil-
ter ; but the less it is, the better, provided a suffi-
cient quantity of water be supplied by it.
This may be practised in a cask, tub, jar, or other
vessel. The water may be conveyed to the bottom
by a pipe, the lower end having a sponge in it, or
the pipe may be filled with coarse sand.
It is evident that all such particles, which by
their gravity are carried down in filtration by des-
cent, will not rise with the water in filtration by as-
cension. This might be practised on board ships a*:
little expense.
355. To preserve Lemon Juice during a long
Voyage.
Care must be taken to squeeze only sctnd fruit,
as a tainted lemon will endanger the spoiling of the
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
\\hole ; the expressed juice must be depurated, by
standing a few days, adding one ounce of cream of
tartar to every quart of lemon juice ; filter it pretty
clear; then it is to be put into small bottles, none
of them containing more than a pint of juice; in
the neck of the bottle, a little of the best oil of
olives is to be poured, and the cork well scaled
over.
356. Method of preserving Grapes.
Take a cask or barrel, inaccessible to the exter-
nal air, and put it into a layer of bran, dried in an
oven, or of ashes well dried and sifted. Upon this,
place a layer of grapes well cleaned, and gathered
in the afternoon of a dry day, before they are per-
fectly ripe. Proceed thus with alternate layers of
bran and grapes, till the barrel is full, taking care
that the grapes do not touch each other, and to let
the last layer be of bran ; then close the barrel, so
That the air may not be able to penetrate, which is
an essential point. Grapes, thus packed, will keep
nine or oven twelve months. To restore them to
their freshness, cut the end of the stalk of each
bunch of grapes, and put that of white grapes into
white wine, and that of the black grapes into red
wine, as you would put flowers into water, to revive
or keep them fresh.
357. Singular and simple Minner ofprcstr-cing A,
pics from the Ej/'ccts of Frost, in North America.
Apples being produced most abundantly in North
America, and forming an article of chief necessity in
almost every family, the greatest care is constantly
taken to protect them from frost at the earliest com-
mencement of the winter season ; it being well
known, that apples, if left unprotected, are inevita-
bly destroyed by the first frost which occurs. This
desirablePobject, during (heir long and severe win-
ter-, i^aid to be completely effected, by only throw-
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
ing over them a thin linen cloth before the approach
of frost, when the fruit beneath is never injured,
how severe soever the winter may happen to prove.
Yet apples are there usually kept in a small apart-
ment immediately beneath the roof of the house,
particularly appropriated to that purpose, and where
there is never any fire. This- is a fact so well known,
.t the Americans are astonished it should appeal'
at all wonderful : and they have some reason to be
so. when it is considered that, throughout Germany ,
the same method of preserving fruit is universally
practised ; from whence, probably, it made its way
to North America. It appears, that linen cloth onl}
is used for this purpose ; woollen cloth, in particu-
lar, having been experienced to prove ineffectual.
There seems abundant reason to believe, that even
potatoes might be protected from frost by some such
simple expedient.
mark. This article, as well as the preceding,
(to which the principle seems very analogous,)
exits high consideration 5 and for the same import-
ant reason, its capability of conducing to the uni-
rsal benefit of mankind, and the numerous ani-
mals under our protection,
-
.
To keep Oranges and Lemons.
Take small sand and make it very dry : after it
is cold put a quantity of it into a clean vessel ; then
e your oranges, and set a laying of them in the
;ie, the stalk-end downwards, so that they do not
.,ch each other, and strew in some of the sand. ;
much as will cover them two inches deep ; then
your vessel in a cold place, and you will find
r fruit in high preservation at the end of several
months.
359. Another,
Freeze the oranges, and keep them in an ice-
house, When to be used, put them into a vessel of
198 DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
cold water till they are thawed. By this means they
may be had in perfection at any season of the year.
360. Aea? Method of preserving Potatoes.
The following method of preserving potatoes w
communicated by Mr. Millington, to the Society for
Bettering the Condition of the Poor :
I caused (says this gentleman) three pounds anJ
a half of potatoes to be peeled and rasped ; then
put in a coarse cloth, between two boards, in a nap-
kin press, and pressed them into a dry cake, hardly
so thick as a thin cheese. They were then placed
on a shelf to dry. There was about a quart of jui
expressed from the potatoes. To this was added a-
bout a like quantity of water, and in about an hour
it deposited more than sixty grains of white starcli
or flour, fit to make pastry. A cake of this was pr- -
pared and sent to the Society. In bulk it occupier!
only a sixth of the compass of the potatoes ; in
weight it had lost about two-thirds by the process;
but the cake, when dressed with steam or other-
wise, will produce nearly the same quantity of food
as three pounds and a half of potatoes, properly
dressed for table, would do.. Some potatoes, quite
frozen, have been prepared this way, and the cake
was perfectly sweet ; whereas some of the san
parcel that were left, and not pressed, were rotten
and spoiled in a few days.
361. To preserve Potatoes from the Frost.
If you have not a convenient store-place for them,
dig a trench three or four feet deep, into which they
are to be laid as they are taken up, and then cover-
ed with the earth taken out of the trench, raised up
in the middle like the roof of a house, and covered
with straw, to carry off the rain. They will be thus
preserved from the frost, and can be taken up as
they arc wanted*
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 199
362. Method of recovering Frost-Bitten Fruits or
Vegetables.
This may be done by putting such fruits and
roots, as pears, apples, potatoes, &c. as have been
penetrated by frost, into cold water, when a thaw
approaches, and letting them remain in the water
some time, till by the plumpness and fairness of the
fruit and roots it appears that the particles of the
frost are extracted. This method has been often-
tried and found to answer, but at the same time the
utmost care should be taken to preserve these things
from the frost, as it is better to keep off an enemy
than to be at the trouble of driving him out.
3. To preserve Apples.
Dry a glazed jar perfectly well, put a few p<
bles in the bottom ; fiil the jar with apples, and
cover it with a bit of wooc! made to Inexactly ; and
over that, put a little fresh mortar. The pebbles
attract the damp of the apples. The mortar draws
the air from the jar, and leaves the apples free from
its pressure, which, together with the principle of
putrefaction which the air contains, are the causes
decay. Apples, kept thus, have been found quite
t-jund, fair, and juicy, in July.
364. Preservation of Succulent Plants.
Green succulent plants are better preserved after
a momentary immersion in boiling water, than other-
wise. This practice has been successfully used in
the preservation of cabbage, and other plants, drit
for keeping ; it destroys the vegetable life at once,
and in a great measure prevents that decay which
otherwise attends them.
365. Ji Method of preserving Fruit fresh all the
Year.
Take of saltpetre one pound, of bole-armenic
two pounds, of common sand ; well freed from its
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
earthy parts, four pounds, and mix altogether. After
his, let the fruit be gathered with the hand before
it be thoroughly ripe, each fruit being handled only
by the stalk; lay them regularly, and in order, in a>
large wide-mouthed glass vessel ; then cover the top
of the glass with an oiled paper, and carrying it in-
to a dry place, set it in a box filled all round, to a-
bout four inches thickness, with the aforesaid prepa-
rations, so that no part of the glass vessel shall ap-
r, being in a manner buried in the prepared ni-
tre : and at the end of a year such fruits may bt tak-
en out. as beautiful as when thoy were first put in..
. T ' jj/'r. ?< rpc IIa:el A*</s- in great Pctj- <
m f my Month?.
} f -,7-1 nuts may be kept a long time n full kernel
12; them in < >. wrll closed, a I
v j in the ground. They keep best in gravelly
places.
7. To 'managt Rtpt Fruit for a D'.strt.
;ke some fruit- baskets of open \\m -k, ^over them
je leaves, and at seven o'clock in the morn-
L'o out and gather the fruit. When you have care-
fully chosen what j.s ripe, and laid it handsomclv
ihc basket, let it be placed in a cool, but not damp
n, till it is wanted. When the ripest are gather-
are to be preserved; and with re c {
;o birds, some lime tuigs and trap c; -noulti
d, and lines of feathers hung about the plac^.
3. To preserve Aromatic and ut/ur ILrbs.
The boxes and drawers in which vegetable mat-
ters are kept, should not impart to them any smell or
taste; and more certainly to avoid this, they should
iined with paper. Such as are volatile, of a deli-
cate texture, or subject to suffer from insects, mu.^t be
k f pt in well covered glasses. Fruits and oily seeds,,
which are apt to become rancid, must be kept in a
IX3MESTIC ECONOMY. 20!
cool and dry, but by no means in a warm or moist
place.
369. To preserve Grapes till Winter.
About September, when grapes are nearly ripe,
procure some bags made either of crape, muslin,
gauze or white paper.
Select some of the best bunches, and, with a pair
of sharp narrow-pointed scissars, cut off all small un-
ripe, rotten, mouldy, or imperfect grapes, especially
those eaten by flies or wasps.
Inclose each bunch in a bag, and tie the bag fast
with a string, so that no insect can get into it. In
the middle of a fine day in October, gather them,
with a piece of the shoot to them, and hang them
up in a dry warm room.
Dip the end of the shoots in melted rosin or seal-
ing-wax. Examine them frequently, lest they
should get mouldy or rotten.
370. Walnut Ketchup.
Take half a bushel of green walnuts, before the
shell is formed, and grind them in a crab mill, or
beat them in a marble mortar ; then squeeze out
the juices through a coarse cloth, and wring the
cloth well to get all the juice out, and to every gal-
lon of juice put a quart of red wine, a quarter of a
pound of anchovies, the same of bay salt, one ounce
of allspice, two of long or black pepper, half an
ounce of cloves and mace, a little ginger and horse-
radish, cut in slices ; boil all together till reduced
to half the quantity ; pour into a pan ; when it is
cold bottle it, cork it tight, and it will be fit'touse
in three months. If you have any pickle left in the
jar after your walnuts are used, to every gallon of
pickle put in two heads of garlic, a quart of red
wine, an ounce each of cloves and mace, long, black,
and Jamaica pepper, and boil them altogether till
20 j DOMESTIC ECOXO.Mi.
it is- reduced to half the quantity, pour it into a pa.
and the next day bottle it for use, and cork it tight,
371. To cork and preserve Cyder in Bottles.
Good corks are hicrhlv necessary, and it' soaked
o *
before used in scalding water, they will he the more
jiliant and serviceable ; and by laying the bottles
so that the liquor may always keep the cork wet and
swelled, will much preserve it.
372. To make excellent Punch.
One tea-spoonful of Cox welTs acid salt of lemons,
o. quarter of a pound of ?ngnr, a quart of water near-
ly boiling, half a pint of rum, and a quarter of a
pint of brandy ; a little lemon peel may bo added,
or in place thereof, a few drops of* essence of lem-
on.
373. To make a pli.asant, snber, and refreshing
Drink for the Summer.
Take one bottle of sherry (but Madeira is prc-
ferable,) two bottles of cyder, one of perry, and
one gill of brandy ; and after those ingredients are.
mixed, take two lemons, pare the rind as thin as
possible ; then slice the lemons, and put the rind
and lemons into a cup ; to these add a little grated
nutmeg and powdered sugar, to make it palatable ;
stir them together ; then toast a biscuit very brown,
and throw it hot into the liquor. It is generally
found a pleasant draught at dinner, and produces
no bad effects on these who drink it in moderation.
374. To make the German Li'juor, J\Ium.
Mum is made of various sorts of groin, in the fol-
lowing proportions : to seven bushels of wheaten
malt, add one bushel of oatmeal, one bushel of
ground beans, and a variety of other articles, as
the tops of fir, wild thyme, &c. ; also ten new laid
eggs. These articles ought to be infused into six-
v-three gallons of water boiled down to forty-on^.
4
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 203
375. To make the celebrated Eastern Be-veragb* call-
ed Sherbet.
This liquor is a species of negus without the wine*
It consists of water, lemon or orange juice, and su-
gar, in which are dissolved perfumed cakes, made
of the best Damascus fruit, and containing also an
infusion of some drops of rose-water : another kind
is made of violets, honey, juice ot raisins, &c. It is
well calculated for assuaging thirst, as the acidity is
agreeably blended with sweetness. It resembles,
indeed, those fruits which we find so grateful when
one is thirsty.
376. To make Birch-tree Wine.
The vernal sap of the birch-tree is made into'
wine. In the beginning of March, while the sap
is rising, holes must be bored in the body of the
tree, and fassets, made of elder, placed in them,
to convey away the liquid. If the tree be large it
may be tapped in several .places at a time, and
thus, according to the number of trees, the quanti-
ty of liquid is obtained. The sap is to be boiled
with sagar, in the proportion of four pounds to a
gallon, and treated in the same manner as other
made wines.
One great advantage attaching to the birch is,
that it will grow on almost any barren ground.
377. Currant Wine.
Gather your currants on a fine dry day, when the
fruit is full ripe, steep them, put them in a large
pan, and bruise them with a wooden pestle ; Jet
them stand in a pan or tub twenty-four hours to fer-
ment, then run it through a hair sieve, and do no:
let your hand touch the liquor ; to every gallon 01
this liquor put two pounds and a half of white su-
gar, stir it well together, and put it into your ves-
sel. To every six gallons put in a quart of bran-
dy, and let it stand six weeks ; if it is fine, bottle
204 DOMESTIC ECOXOMY.
it ; if it is not, draw it off as clear as you can into
another vessel, or large bottles, and in a fortnight
bottle it into smaller bottles.
378. Elder Wine.
Pick the elder-berries when full ripe ; put them
into a stone jar, and set them in the oven, or a ket-
tle of boiling water, till the jar is hot through ; then
take them out and strain them through a coarse
cloth, wringing the berries, and put the juices into
a clean kettle ; to every quart of juice put a pound
of fine Lisbon sugar ; let it boil, and skim it well :
when it is clear and fine pour it into a jar ; when
cold cover it close, and keep it till you make raisin-
wine ; and to every gallon of wine put half a pint
of elder syrup.
.'i?r>. Grape Wine.
To every gallon of ripe grapes put a gallon of soft
w.itcr, bruise the grapes, let them stand a week
without stirring, and draw the liquor off fine ; to
ry gallon of wine put three pounds of lump su-
gar ; put it into a vessel, but do not stop it till it
ha.s done hissing, then stop it close, and in tiv
months it will be fit to bottle.
A better wine, though smaller in quantity, will
!.; niade by leaving out the water, and diminish!
the quantity of sugar. Water is only necessary
where the juice is so scanty or so thick, as in cow-
slip, balm, or black currant wine, that it could not
used without it. Very good wine, after kr
ing for twelve months, has been made by adding a
proper quantity of sugar to grapes which were E
i ird that it was necessary to burst ihem over the
fire to get out the juice.
300. An excellent Family Wine
May be made of equal parts of red, white, and
'lack currants, ripe cherries, and raspberries, n
DOMESTIC ECONOMY* 195
distance from the smoke of any town, to catch
the rain as it falls from the clouds. The water
should be put into perfectly clean bottles, and the
corks well secured with wax, and if the bottles are
put into a cool place, the water will keep sweet for
several years.
349. To purify River or any other Muddy Water*
Dissolve half an ounce of alum in a pint of warm
water, and stirring it about in a puncheon of water
just taken from any river, all the impurities will soon
settle to the bottom, and in a day or two it will be-
come as clear as the finest spring water.
350. Warm Water*
Warm water is preferable to cold water, as a
drink, for persons who are subject to dyspeptic and
bilious complaints, and it may be taken more freely
than cold water, and consequently answers better as
a diluent for carrying oft' bile, and removing obstruc-
tions in the urinary secretion in cases of stone and
gravel. When water, of a temperature equal to that
ef the human body, is used for drink, it proves con-
siderably stimulant, and is particularly suited to
dyspeptic, bilious, gouty, and chlorotic subjects.
351. To make Sea-Water ft for washing Linen at
Sea.
Soda put into sea-water, renders it turbid ; the
lime and magnesia fall to the bottom. To make sea-
water fit for washing linen at sea, as much soda
must be put in it, as not only to effect a complete
precipitation of these earths, but to render the sea-
water sufficiently lixivial or alkaline. Soda should
always be taken to sea for this purpose.
352. Proper Method of making Toast and Water, and
the Advantages resulting therefrom.
Take a slice of fine and stale loaf-bread, cut vc*
R
194 DOMESTIC ECOMOMT.
ry thin, (as thin as toast is ever cut.) and let it be
carefully toasted OP both sides, until it be completely
browned all over, but no wise blackened or burned
in any way. Put this into a common deep stone or
china jug, and pour over it, from the tea-kettle, as
much clean boiling water as you wish to make into
drink. Much depends on the water being actually
in a boiling state. Cover the jug with a saucer or
plate, and let the drink cool until it be quite cold;
it is then fit to be used : the fresher it is made the
Letter, and of course the more agreeable. The a-
Love will be found a pleasant, light, and highly diu-
retic drink. It is peculiarly grateful to the stomach,
and excellent for carrying oil* the c fleets of any ex-
cess in drinking. It is also a most excellent, drink
at meals, and may be used in the summer time, if
more agreeable to the drinker.
353. T'J make a Vessel for filtering 1\<it',\
Where water is to be filtered in large quantities,
as for the purposes of a family, a particular kind of
-lt, spongy stones, called filtering-stones, are em-
ployed. These, however, though the water perco-
lates through them very fine, and in Milikient quan-
tity at first, are liable to be obstructed in the same
manner as paper, and are then rendered useless. A
better method seems to be. to have a wooden vessel
lined with lead, three or four fret wide at top, but
tapering so as to end in a small orifice at the bot-
tom. The under part of the vessel is to be filled
v.ith very rough sand, or gravel, well freed from
earth by washing ; over this pretty fine sand may
"be laid, to the depth of twelve or fourteen inche-.
but which must likewise be well freed from earthy
particles.
The vessel may then be filled up to the top with
water, pouring it gently at first, lest the sand should
be too much displaced. It will soon filter through
DOMESTIC ECONOMY, 19J
he sand, and run out at the lower orifice exceeding-
ly transparent, and likewise in very considerable
quantities. When the upper part of the sand begins
to be stopped up, so as not to allow a free passage
to the water, it may occasionally be taken off, and
the earthy matter washed from it, when it will be
equally serviceable as before.
354.- The Turkish Method of filtering water by As-
cension.
They make t\vo wells, from five to ten feet, or
/ '
any depth, at a small distance, which have a com-
munication at the bottom. The separation must bo
of clay well beaten, or of other substances impervi-
ous to water. The two wells are then filled with
sand and gravel. The opening of that into which
the water to be filtered is to run, must be somewhat
higher than that into which the water is to ascend ;
and this must not have sand quite up to its brim,
that there may be room for the filtered water ; or it
may, by a spout, run into a vessel placed for that
purpose. The greater the difference is between the
height of the two wells, the faster the water will fil-
ter; but the less it is, the better, provided a suffi-
cient quantity of water be supplied by it.
This may be practised in a cask, tub, jar, or other
vessel. The water may be conve}~ed to the bottom
by a pipe, the lower end having a sponge in it. or
the pipe may be filled with coarse sand.
It is evident that all such particles, which by
their gravity are carried down in filtration by des-
cent, will not rise with the water in filtration by as--
cension. This might be practised on board ships at
little expense.
355. To preserve Lemon Juice during a long
Voyage.
Care must be taken to squeeze only sound fruit,
as a tainted lemon will endanger the spoiling of the
196 DOMESTICEC ONOM V ,
whole ; the expressed juice must be depurated, by
standing a few days, adding one ounce of cream of
tartar to every quart of lemon juice ; filter it pretty
clear; then it is to be put into small bottles, none
of them containing more than a pint of juice; in
the neck of the bottle, a little of the best oil of
olives is to be poured, and the cork well sealed
over.
356. Method' of preserving Grapes.
Take a cask or barrel, inaccessible to the exter-
nal air, and put it into a layer of bran, dried in an
oven, or of ashes well dried and sifted. Upon this,
place a layer of grapes well cleaned, and gathered
in the afternoon of a dry day, before they are per-
fectly ripe. Proceed tlius with alternate layers of
bran and grapes, till the barrel is full, taking care
that the grapes do not turn h each other, and to let
the last layer be of bran ; then close the barrel, so
thnt the air may not be aMe to prnelralc, which ij
an essential point. Grap?s, thus packed, will keep
nine or even twelve monihs. To restore them to
tlu-ir freshness, cut the end of the stalk of on-
bunch of grapes, .md put that of While grape-, i;
white wine, and that of the black - into i
wiae, as you \\ou!d put ilowcrs inlo water, to rcvi
or keen them fresh,
357. Singular and simph .V '???// r./* / -.r.-.<vv//>o- .'//?-
plesfrmn the Effects of !"/< i.-f. in A </;'/? America,
Apples being produced most abtir, 'anily in North
America, and forming an articleof chief necessity in
almost every family, the greatest care is consUur
taken to protect them from frost at the earliest com-
mencement of the winter season ; it being well
known, that apples, if left unprotected, are inevita-
bly destroyed by the first frost which occur.-:. T hi-
desirable object, during their long and severe wi
ters, is said to be completely effected, by only throw-
D-CMESTIC ECONOMY.
ing over them a thin linen cloth before the approach
of frost, when the fruit beneath is never injured,
how severe soever the winter may happen to prove.
Yet apples are there usually kept in a small apart-
ment immediately beneath the roof of the house,
particularly appropriated to that purpose, and where?
there is never any fire. This is a fact so well known,
that the Americans -are astonished it should appear
at all wonderful : and they have some reason to be
so, when it is considered that, throughout Germany,
the same method of preserving fruit is universally
practised ; from whence, probably, it made its way
to North America, It appears, that linen cloth only-
is used for this purpose; woollen cloth, in particu-
lar, having been experienced to prove ineffectual*
There seems abundant reason to believe, that even
potatoes might be protected from frost by some such
simple expedient,-
Remark. This article, as well as the preceding,
-. ,'to which the principle seems very analogous.)
merits high consideration ; and for the same import-
ant reason, its capability of conducing to the uni-
versal benefit of mankind, and the numerous anU
mals under our protection.
353. To keep Oranges and Lemons v
Take small sand and make it very dry ; after it
is ccld put a quantity of it into a clean vessel ; then
take your oranges, and set a laying of them in the
same, the stalk-end downwards, so that they do not
touch each other, and strew in some of the sand,
as much as will cover them two inches deep ; then
set your vessel in a cold place, and you will find
your fruit in high preservation at the end of several
months. ,
359. Another.
Freeze the oranges, and keep them in an ice=
souse. When to be used, put them into a vessel of
193 DOMESTIC ECOXOMV.
cold water till they are thawed. Bvthis means ih
v >
may be had in perfection at any season of the year.
360. .V :' M>ihod of preserving Potatoes.
The following method of preserving jv.itoes r
communicated by Mr. Millington, to the Society for
Bettering the Condition of the Poor :
I caused (says this gentleman) three pounds ami
a half of potatoes to be peeled and rasped; then
put in a coarse cloth, between two hoards, in a nap-
kin press, and pressed them into a dry cake, hardly
so thick as a thin cheese. They were then placed
on a shelf to dry. There was about a quart of juice
pi d from the potatoes. To thU w.is added ,\-
bout a likt quantity of water, and in about an .our
deposited more than sixty grains of white starch
. flour, fit to make pastry. A cake of this was pre-
yed -md sent to the Society. In bulk it occupied
,iy a .-ixth of tho compass of the potatoes; in
vcipit it had . about two-thirds by the proccs- .
but the cake, when ilr vsed with steam or other-
. will produce nearly the same quantity of food
ounds and a half of potatoes, properly
Bossed for table, would do. Some potatoes, quite
Tozen, have been prepared this way, and the cake
was perfectly sweet ; whereas some of the same
parcel that were left, and not pressed, were rotten
and spoiled in a few days.
3G1. To j/jr> Potato?* from the Froit.
If you have not a convenient store-place for them,
dig a trench three or four feet deep, into which they
are to be laid as they are taken up, and then cover-
ed wiih the earth taken out of the trench, raised up
in the middle like the roof of a house, and covered
with straw, to carry off the rain. They will be thus
preserved from the frost, and can be taken up as
they are wanted.
DOMESTIC ECOXOMi". 199
362. Method of recovering Frost-Bitten Fruits or,
Vegetables.
This may be done by putting such fruits and
roots, as pears, apples, potatoes, &c. as have been
penetrated by frost, into cold water, when a thaw
approaches, and letting them remain in the water
some time, till by the plumpness and fairness of the
fruit and roots it appears that the particles of the
frost arc extracted. This method has been often
tried and found to answer, but at the same time the
utmost care should be taken to preserve these things
Irom the frost, as it is better to keep off an enemy
than to be at the trouble of driving him out.
363. To preserve tipples.
Dry a glazed jar perfectly well, put a few peb-
bles in the bottom ; fill the jar with apples, and
cover it with a bit of wood made to fit exactly ; and
over that, put a little fresh mortar. The pebbles
attract the damp of ihe apples. The mortar draws
the air from the jar, and leaves the apples free from
its pressure, which, together with the principle of
putrefaction which the air contains, are the causes of
decay. Apples, kept thus, have been found quite
sound, fair, and juicy, in July.
364. Preservation of Succulent Plant?.
Green succuTent plants are better preserved after
a momentary immersion in boiling water, than other-
wise. This practice has been successfully used in
the preservation of cabbage, and other plants, dried
for keeping ; it destroys the vegetable life at once,
and in a great measure prevents that decay which
otherwise attends them.
365. A Method of preserving Fruit fresh all the
Year.
Take of saltpetre one pound, of bole-arrnenic
two pounds, of common sand, well freed from its
DOMESTIC ECGNOMIT,
earthy pr>rts, four pounds, and mix altogether. After
this, l-'t the fruit be gathered with the hand before
it ' roughly ripe, each fruit being handled only
:';; lay them regularly, and in order, in a
h, 'ie-mouthed glass vessel ; then cover the top
of iass with an oiled paper, and carrying it in-
to a dry place, set it in a box filled all round, to a-
boiii. four inches thickness, with the aforesaid prepa-
rations, so that no part, of ihe glass vessel shall ap-
pear, being in a manner buried in the prepared ni-
tre : and at the end of a year >uch iVuits may be tak-
en out, as beautiful a* when ihoy were first put in.
3GG. Top: Hazel Nuts I _ ' a P r
J /'-'.',
Ilazrl nuts may be kep'. a long time in full koi
by burying (hem in carl! s, well el* -
or two in the j;i\.u!;d. Tli-jy keep best in gravel !)r
or sandy \>\uc<. .
367. T<: mana , .
Take some lVuit-!r. : -kris of open work, cover them
with lar^< leaves, and at seven o'clock in the morn-
in:: go . ! gather the fruit. When you have care-
fully ciiosc-M v.hiit is ripe, and laid it handsomely in
the baski-:. h't it be pi in a cool, but not damp
room, till it is wanted. \Yhcn the ripe-store gather-
c\!. the rest are to be preserved; and v, ith respect
to birds, some lime twigs and trap cages should ;
placed, and lines of feathers hung about the place.
36S. Toprcsen-f .'jf.-matic and other Htrbs.
The boxes and drawers in which vegetable mat-
ters are kept, should not impart to them any smell or
taste ; and more certainly to avoid this, they should
be lined with paper. Such as are volatile, of a de'L-
catc texture, or subject to sutler from insects, must be
kept in well covered glasses. Fruits and oil;> s uis,
which are apt to become rancid, must be kept in a
DOMESTIC ECOXOMY. 201
cool and dry, but by no means in a warm or moist
place.
3G9. Topreftrze Grapes till Winter.
About September, when grapes are nearly rip?,
procure some bags made either of crape, muslin^
gauze or white paper-
Select some of the best bunches, and, with a pair
of sharp narrow-pointed scissors, cut oifall small un-
ripe, rotten, mould}', or imperfect grapes, especially
those eaten by flies or wasps.
Inclose each bunch in a bag, and tie the bag fast
with a string, so that no insect can get into it. In
the middle of a fine day in October, gather them,
with a piece of the shoot to them, and hang them
up in a dry warm room.
Dip the end of the shoots in melted rosin or seal-
ing-wax. Examine them frequently, lest they
should get mouldy or rotten.
370. Walnut Ketchup.
Take half a bushel of green walnuts, before the
shell is formed, and grind them in a crab mill, or
beat them in a marble mortar; then squeeze out
the juices through a coarse cloths, and wring the
cloth well to get all the juice out, and to every gal-
lon of juice put a quart of red wine, a quarter of a
pound of anchovies, the same of bay salt, one ounce
of allspice, two of long or black pepper, half an
ounce of cloves and mace, a little ginger and horse-
radish, cut in slices ; boil ail together till reduced
to half the quantity ; pour into a pan ; when it ii
cold bottle it, cork it tight, and it will be fit to use
in three months. If you have any pickle left in the
jar after your walnuts are used, to every gallon of
pickle put in two heads of garlic, a quart of red
wine, an ounce each of cloves and mace, long, black,
and Jamaica pepper, and boil them altogether till
"20 J DOMESTH Kt OXOMV.
it is reduced to half the quantity, pour it into .1
and the next day bottle it for use, ami cork it tight.
371. To cork and preserve O/<7< r m rii'i< >-.
Good corks are highly necessary, andifsoakc .
iore used in scalding \valcr, they will br thr more
pliant and serviccabK- : and in' laying the bottles
so that the liquor may always keep (he cork \vet and
lied, \vill much preserve it.
572. Tu cxccJl-.'tt Vunch.
One tea-spoonful of Cox well'a arid sail of 1. mon?,
a quarter of a pound of sucar. a quart of water near-
ly boiling, half a pint of rum, and a quarter of a
pint of brandy ; a litdc lemon peel may be added,
or in place thereof, a lew drops of e? of lem-
on.
;. To make a ; . ' thing
Drink for ihi. ^ .'.nucr.
'
r l'ake one bottle of sherry (! : Madeira is pre-
ferable.) two bullies of cyder, one oi . anrl
one gill of brandy; and after, those ingredients are
mix-'xl, take two ! .e the rind as :hin
pc ; i - e the U'm.-.i^. and p I ind
I It-ill MV> into a c-.i]^ ; to th little criMtcd
'ititiw :; M;I'! pi'Uv!. PI . - \ to make it pal :c ;
>t!!Mi, m to^i-iiier : ih a biscuit very brown,
throw it. hoi inln lh( i . Il is gen'
foil::-! a p at dinnc:*, rtrstl pi'ociu-
no bad cllects on tho^-c \viio drink it in moderation.
i. '/'/ muki ' iiun Liiiuor.
.Muni is mai.l."- of us sorts of grain, in the fol-
}( ng proportions : to seven bushels of wheaten
11 , dd one bushel of oatmeal, one bushel of
ji i, id beans, and a variety of other articles, as
tire tops of fir, \\ikl tii} me. &c. ; also f-n new laid
These article- ou^lit to be infj-- ;1 inf-) six-
j \)
ty-thrce gallons of water boiled down to forty-one.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 203
3/5. To make the celebrated Eastern Beverage, call-
ed Sherbet.
This liquor is a species of negus without the wine,
It consists of water, lemon or -orange juice, and su-
gar, in which are dissolved perfumed cakes, made
of the best Damascus fruit, and containing also an
infusion of some drops of rose-water : another kind
is made of violets, honey, juice of raisins, &c. It is
well calculated for assuaging thirst, as the acidity is
agreeably blended with sweetness. It resembles,
indeed, those fruits which we find so .grateful when
one is thirsty.'
376. To make Birch-tree Wine.
The vernal sap of the birch-tree is made into
wine. In the beginning of March, while the sap
is rising, holes must be bored in the body of the
tree, and fassets, made of elder, placed in them,
to convey away the liquid. If the tree be large it
may be tapped in several places at a time, and
thus, according to the number of trees, the quanti-
ty of liquid is obtained. The sap is to be boiled
with sugar, in the proportion of tour pounds to a
gallon, and treated in the same manner as other
made wines.
One great advantage attaching to the birch is,
that it will grow on almost any barren ground.
377. Currant Wine.
Gather your currants on a fine dry day, when the
fruit is full ripe, steep them, put them in a large
pan, and bruise them with a wooden pestle ; lei
them stand in a pan or tub twenty-four hours to fer-
ment, then run it through a hair sieve, and do not
let your hand touch the liquor ; to every gallon of
this liquor put two pounds and a half of white su-
gar, stir it well together, and put it into your ves-
sel. To every six gallons put in a quart of bran-
dy, and let it stand six weeks ; if it is fine, bottle
JJ4 D'.iMKSTIC ECONOMY.
it ; if it is not, draw it off as clear as you can into
another vessel, or large bottles, and in a fortnight
bottle it into smaller bottles.
373. . Elder Wine.
Pick the elder-berries when full ripe ; put them
into a stone jar, and set them in the oven, or a ket-
tle of boiling water, till the jar is hot through ; then
take them out and strain them through a coarse
cloth, wringing the berries, and put the juices into
a clean kettle ; to every quart of juice put a pound
of fine Lisbon sugar: let it boil, and skim it well :
when it is clear and fine pour it into a jar ; when
cold cover it close, and keep it till you make raisin
vine ; and to every gallon of wine put half a pint
of elder syrup.
37 Grape Wine.
To every gallon of ripe u rapes put a gallon of soli,
"writer, bruise ih' 1 ::;raprs. let them stand a week
without stirn . nd draw the liquor offline; to
every gallon of wine put three pounds of lump su-
ir ; put it into a vc v-d, but do not stop it till it
has done Losing. UHMI stop it close, and in six
months it will be fit to bottle.
A better wine, though smaller in quantity, will
be made by leaving out the water, and diminishing
ihc quantity of sugar. Water is only necessary
where the juice is so scanty or so thick, as in cow-
slip, balm, or black currant wine, that it could not
be used without it. Very good wine, after keep-
ing for twelve months, has been made by adding a
proper quantity of sugar to grapes which were so
hard that it was necessary to burst them over the
fire to get out the juice.
380. An excellent Family Wine
May be made of equal parts of red, white, and
blackcurrants, ripe cherries, and raspberries, well
X
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
feraised, and mixed with soft water, in the propor-
tion of four pounds of fruit to one gallon of water.
When strained and pressed, three pounds of moist
sugar are to be added to each gallon of liquid. Af-
ter standing open three days, during which it is to
T .o stirred frequently, and scum it as it may require,
it is to be put into a barrel, and left for a fortnight
to work, when a ninth part of brandy is to .be ad-
ded, and the whole bunged down; and in two
or three years it will be rich and valuable.
381. To extract Syrup from Indian Corn.
The young spikes, when they are beginning to
form, possess a very agreeable saccharine taste.
Ten pounds of them squeezed in a stone mortar,
and the juice expressed, after the leaves are strip*
ped off, will give about four pounds of a milky
juice, which, when clarified, and evaporated to the
consistence of a syrup, will be found very agreea-
ble to the palate. This vegetable will grow in Eng-
land from the seed, sown in good soil.
332. Excellent Bitter for the Stomach*
One ounce of gentian root sliced, one ounce of
fresh rind of lemon, two drachms of cardamom
seeds bruised, three drachms of Seville orange peel;
pour a pint and a half of boiling water over the in-
gredients, let it stand an hour, then decant* the
clear liquor, and take a wine glass full two or three
times a day.
It should be kept closely covered after the water
is put in the ingredients.
383. To defect Sugar of Lead in Wines.
The tincture of orpiment converts wine so adul-
Crated to a black'colour.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
304. A Tcft for discovering in TFinc, Metals thai a-n
*/ O
injurious to the Health.
The property of liver of sulphur, and of hepatic
gas, in precipitating lead of a black colour, has
been long known ; and that property has been made
use of to ascertain the goodness of wine, in the
preparation of the liquor probatorius Wur Umber -
giensis.
But in trying wines which we suspect to be adul-
terated, that proof does more harm than good ; be-
cause it precipitates the iron of the same colour
with the pernicious lead : by which means, some
dealers of respectable characters have been ruined.
It was wanting, therefore, to find an agent which
would discover nothing in wine but what was prc-
iiidiciol to health. This is accomplished by the
following test, which precipitates lead and copper
of a black colour, arsenic of an orange colour, kc.
but docs not iron, which being innocent, or rather
salutary, to the human constitution, gets into a great
number of different sorts of wine by various acci-
dents.
Receipt for the Tctt Lifjuor. Mix equal parts of
oyster shells, and crude r.ulphur reduced to a line
powder, and put the mixture in a crucible, li
this in a wind furnace, and suddenly raise the heat
till the crucible is exposed to a white hci<t for iilV'f n
minutes. A\ hen the moss is cool, reduce it to pow-
der, and keep it in a bottle well corked.
To make the liquor, put 120 grains of this pow-
der and 180 grains of cream of tartar into a strong
bottle full of common water, which has been boiled
for an hour, and suffered to cool. Cork the bottle
immediately, and shake it from time to time. After
having stood a few hours, pour off what is clear of
the liquor into ounce phials, after having previous-
ly put into each of them twenty drops of spirit of
sea salt ; and then stop them well with wax mixed
with a little turpentine.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 2(57
One part of this liquor, mixed with three parts
of wine adulterated, will discover, by a very sensi-
ble black precipitate, the smallest quantity of lead,
copper, &c. but will have no effect on any iron it
may contain. When the precipitation is made, iron
may be discovered by saturating the wine remain-
ing, when poured off, with a little salt of tartar,
when the liquor becomes instantly black.
Pure v/ines remain perfectly clear after the addi-
tion of this liquor.
385. Substitute for Soap, easily prepared in small
Quantities, by private. Families in the Country.
Collect, before the time of seeding, thistles, net-
tles, fern, and such other weeds as usually infest
the borders of high roads and hedges, and burn
them in a large heap, gradually, till the whole are
consumed, and carefully preserve the ashes in a
dry place, ready to make the ley wanted for the
purpose of making a substitute for soap.
The requisite materials and utensils should be
prepared, which are but few in number. They
consist, 1st, Of a small tub of white wood, nine
inches in width, and as many in height. This tub
should be perforated near the bottom ; its use is for
mixing the leys. (Were it made of oak, it would
colour the leys.) 2d, A small copper bason, with
a round bottom, a foot in diameter, and seven or
eight inches in depth ; or where this cannot be pro-
cured, an iron pot. or earthen vessel, that can,
bear the fire, may be used. This vessel is intend-
ed for boiling the mixture. 3d, For this small
manufacture are finally required a skimmer, a spa-
tula of white wood, and two earthen pans.
The materials necessary are, 1, some good ash>
es ; 2, lime ; and 3, oil, tallow, or kitchen fat.
Method of preparing the Leys. ,
Take three pounds of ashes and one pound of
DOMESTIC
iiuie. First, moisten the lime with a small quanti-
ty of water, in order to slake it; and after it has
completely crumbled down, mix it with the ashes,
and put this mixture into the tub, having previously
.spread a piece of canvas at the bottom ; care-
fully close the hole at the bottom of the tub; after
which pour upon the materials a quantity of wafer
sufficient to soak if well through, and rise above it
in the vessel, to the height of about three finger
breadths. Then stir it well with a stick, and su(V
fer it to stand for some hours ; then open the hole,
in order to let the ley run olT, which is collected
and kept by itself. This is the first ley ; then a-
gain put fresh water in the tub, stir the materials
\vith a stick, let them stand for some hours, and
then draw oil' the second ley, which is also kept
separate ; the third ley is obtained in the same man-
ner, by pouring fresh wat< r upon the remainder of
the a.shrs, ul.ieli will now have been sufficiently
exhausted of its saline particles.
Take equal quantities of the first ley, and of kitch-
en fat, tallow, or oil, and melt them together in
your copper bason, over a gentle fire, till they are
well incorporated, by constantly agitating them
uitii }our wooden spatula. \Yhen the ley and
prcase are well united, you may add moie ley of
t'ie second quality, and digest them for some time
v.'ith a gentle heat, till the mixture is completed,
taking care to stir it well all the time : 'hen pour it
into your earthen pans to cool and pres< rvc for use.
A few trials will enable you to make i< in a p'.v
mariner; and a little of this composition will be
i'nund to answer all the purposes of soap for family
use. The surplus ley of the stronger kinds may
be preserved for future use, and the weaker ley will
serve to put upon fresh ashes on a future occasion ;
or a little of any of these leys will form a useful steep,
with a considerable r|Mi-j:ify <;! warm water, for the.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
I'ty plain linen intended to be washed, but will be
loo strong for printed calicoes or dyed articles.
336. To make Jamaica Vegetable Soap.
This soap is prepared from the great American-
aloe, in the following manner : The large succu-
lent leaves being cut, are passed between the rol-
lers of a mill, with their point foremost, and the
juice being conducted into wide, shallow receivers,
through a coarse cloth or strainer, lies exposed to
a hot sun, till it is reduced to a thick consistence.
It is then made up into balls, with lye ashes, to pre-
vent it from sticking to the ringers ; after which it
maybe kept for years, and serve for use, as well
as *Castile soap, in washing linen ; but it has the
superior quality of mixing and forming a lather with
salt water as well as fresh, ~
Another method of preparing this soap is, by cut-
ting the leaves in pieces, pounding them in a large
wooden mortar, and then expressing the juice, which
is brought afterwards to a consistence, either by
the sun or by boiling. One gallon of this juice,
thus prepared, will yield about one pound, avoidu-
poise, of a soft extract. It will answer prepared in
either of these ways, provided the juice, before ex-
posure to the sun or fire, be very carefully strained
irom the bruised fibres, and other membrane of the
leaves. The extract must never be compounded
with tallow, or any other unctuous materials, for
such mixtures destroy Its effect.
The leaves are used for scouring pewter and
other kitchen utensils, and also for floors,
387. To make Lady Derby' 's Soap*.
Two ounces of bitter almonds blanched, one
aunce and a quarter of tincture of benjamin, one
pound of good plain white soap, and one piece of
camphor the size of a walnut. The almonds and
DOMESTIC ECOXOMV.
camphor are to be beaten in a mortar until they are
completely mixed ; then work up with them the
tincture of benjamin. The mixture being perfectly
made, work (he soap into it in the same manner.
If the smell is too powerful of the camphor and tinc-
iure of benjamin, melt the soap by the fire, and the
perfume will go off. This soap has been tried by
many persons of distinction, is excellent in its quali-
ties for cleansing the skin, and will be found great-
ly to assist the complexion, the ingredients being
perfectly safe, and free from those pernicious prop-
erties that are mostly incorporated with other soap.
388. To make British Herb Tut.
Take of hawthorn leaves, dried, two ports, sage
and balm one part ; mix these well togcmrr. and
they will make an excellent and pleasant sanative
tea, particularly wholesome to nervous people.
389. British Substitute for Foreign Tat.
Bctony, if gathered when just going to flower,
has the taste of tea, and all the good qualities of it,
without the bad ones, and moreover, it cures in-
veterate head-aches..
390. Jiiother.
Make an infusion of ground ivy, which is very a-
greeable in flavour, especially if you add to it a
drop or two of lemon juice. It is reported by ma-
ny, that the habitual use of this herb will cure the
mo.^ obstinate consumption. It is certainly a good
pectoral, and when green is fragrant; if mixed with
a few flowers of lavender, it makes a most agreea-
ble liquor for summer use ; and, if gathered at a
proper time, has an agreeable taste to many, but
wholesome to all, even when dry.
391. Another.
Balm, or lemon balm alone, or with sage, is much
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 21 1
recommended, with a few flowers of lavender ; it
has a most delicious flavour and taste, but is most
agreeable when green.
392. The Virtues of Sage.
This valuable herb was held in such high esteem
among the ancients, that they have left us a Latin
verse, which signifies,
" Why should a man die whilst he. has sage in his garden ?"
It is reckoned admirable as a cordial, and to
sweeten and cleanse the blood. It is good in ner-
vous cases, and is given in fevers, witli a view to
promote perspiration. With the addition of a little
lemon juice, it is very grateful and cooling ; some
choose to take it dry, alleging that the surface oi"
the leaves of green sage abound with animalcules,
which are very visible through a microscope, and
so there are in many articles of common food; but
we may be assured, even if this is the case, that as
they are nourished with the sage, they are of no
harm, and, at all events, a little hot water will des-
troy them.
393. To prevent excessive Thirst in cases of Emer-
gency at Sea, in the Summer Tune.
When thirst is excessive, as is often the case in
summer time during long voyages, avoid, if possible^
even in times of the greatest necessity, the drinking
of salt water to allay the thirst, but rather keep
thinly clad, and frequently dip in the sea, which
will appease both hunger and thirst fora long time,
and prevent the disagreeable sensation of swallow-
ing salt water.
394. To preserve Eggs sound for the space of Two
Years.
For the following process, for keeping and pre-
serving eggs perfectly sound, a patent was granted
21 i ITOMESTIC ECOXGITV.
in February, 1791, to Mr. Jayne, of ShciTn./
Yorkshire :
Put into a tub or vessel one bushel, Winchester
measure, of quicklime, thirty-two ounces of salt,
ei^ht ounces of cream of tartar, and mix the sani'
together with as much water as will reduce the com-
position, or mixture, to that consistence, that it
will cause an egg put into it to swim with its top just
above the liquid : then put, and keep the eggs
therein, which will preserve them perfectly sound
for the space of two years at the leaf .
This method is not the worse for being simple -
and the still simpler one of merely keeping eggs i:
salt, is known by many good housewives to pre-
serve c^gs quite sound lor a considerable time.
. Mi: roing Eggs perfectly fresh, fo
Months,
OQ-.
Having provided small casks, like oyster barrel-',
11 them with fresh hid egg*, then pour into each
';, the head of which is supposed to have been
first taken out, as much cold thick lime-water as
will till up all the void spaces between the eggs, and
]jkt , - Completely cover them. The tim ker the
lime-water is the better, provided it will till up all
ihc interstices, and 1 e liquid at the top of the cask ;
this done, lav on the head of the cask lightly. No
* .
farther care is necessary, than merely lo prevent
'hrlime from growing too hard, by adding, occa-
Monally, a little common water on the surface,
should it seem so disposed, and keeping the casks
from heat anil frost. The eggs, when taken out for
use, are to be washed from the adhering lime with
a little cold water, when they will have both the ap~
pearancn and qualities of fresh laid eggs, the lime
eserving them from shrinking or putridity.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
6. Manner of preserving Eggs perfectly fresh, for
Twelve Months.
The most simple and easy mode of preserving
$ is to rub the outside of the shell as soon as
^^ .
gathered from the nest, with a little butter, or any
other, grease that is not fetid. By filling up the
pores of the shell,, the evaporation of the liquid part
of the egg is prevented; and either by that means,
or by excluding the external air, which Fourcroy
supposes destroys the milkiness which most people
are fond of in new-laid eggs, that milkiness will be-
preserved for months, as perfect as when the egg
was taken from the nest.
397. Cream preserved in long Voyages,
Mix with a quantity of fresh rich cream half its
-weight of white sugar in powder; stir the whole
well together, and preserve it in bottles well cork-
ed. In this state it is ready to mix with tea or cof-
fee, and has continued in good condition during a
voyage to America,
398. Substitute for Human Milk, where, from any
Circumstance, it cannot be procured for Children.
In a quart of water boil two ounces of hartshorn
shavings over a gentle fire, till the whole is reduced
to a pint ; mix this with twice its quantity of cow's
milk, and the addition of a little su^ar. This forms
for children a proper aliment, approaching nearly
to the nature of human milk.
399. To make Old MarfsMllk: a nutricious and
pleasant Beverage,
Beat up the yolk of an egg in a bowl or bason,
and then mix with it some cream or milk, and a lit-
tle sugar, according to the quantity wanted, and let
them be thoroughly incorporated. A glass of spirits,
or more, is to be then poured gradually into the mix-
-14 DOMESTIC ECOXOJi r.
turc, so as to prevent the milk or cream from curd
ling. This mixture will be found useful to travellers
who are obliged to commence th ir journey early,
particularly if the weather be cold and damp.
100. To make artificial Asses? 3///A.
Two ounces of pearl barley, two ounces of harts-
horn shavings, three ounces of Eringo root candied.
nine garden snails ; boil these in six quarts of spring
water till it comes to three; put two spoonfuls of
cow's milk into half a pint of the above, and drink
it lukewarm about half an hour before you rise in
the morning.
N. B. You may leave out the snails if you do not
like them, but it is best to use them.
401. To prcc'.ni ili tabU Smells from Privies,
.V ' ,',>>-. t \r.
Milk of lime : in which Hme has been slack-
ed, and which is whitenoc K> fine particles of
that substance) must be mixed v.\;u a ley of ashes,
or soapy water tl. .t h: ' . a used i:i washing, then
-wn , ' k of ti . it will d^imv I:.
offensive sraelL Ify th for the value of a
few prnce, an\ coliccti :i of filth v> hutever may be
neutralised.
For the night-chi ' reons, put within
the vessel half a : ^-nd of . halt' an ounce
of powdered .'--1-amiv ac, and -T o:ie pint:
li:!-^ W.il pr-. \ T.
Remark. Quicklime, or <_ -.-keJ,
answers the p-irpo.-*- additio.'i. It i.^ tl
only thing ' in cai, ilarly in hot coim-
'ries, to keep the ditches I'l-oca crediting
402. To free Molasses from theii sharp '!':'. and
to Milder tkc.m ft t>_ It ust d d of Sugar.
Take twenty-four ids of r.iolas.=es, twrnty-
four pounds of water, and six pounds of charcui.il,
DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 215
coarsely pulverised ; mix them in a kettle, and -boil
the whole over a slow wood fire. When the mixture
has boiled half an hour, pour it into a flat vessel, in
order that the charcoal may subside to the bottom ;
then pour off the liquid, and place it over the fire
once more, that the superfluous water may evapo-
rate, and the molasses brought to their former con-
sistence. Twenty-four pounds of molasses will pro-
duce twenty-four pounds of syrup.
This method has been employed on a large
scale, with the happiest effects ; the molasses be-
come sensibly milder, and can be employed in ma-
ny articles of food; though in dishes, where milk is
used, or for cordials mixed with spices, sugar is to
be preferred.
403. To destroy Bugs.
Take of the highest rectified spirits of wine, (viz,
lamp spirits) that will burn all away dry, and leave
not the least moisture behind, half a pint ; new dis-
tilled oil. or spirits, of turpentine, half a pint; mix
them together, and break into it, in small bits, half
an ounce of camphor, which will dissolve it in a few
minutes ; shake them well together, and with a
sponge, or a brush, dipt in some of it, wet very well
the bed or furniture wherein these vermin harbour
and breed, and it will infallibly kill and destroy
both them and their nits, although they swarm
ever so much. Bat then the bed or furniture must
be well and thoroughly wet with it, (the dust upon
them being first brushed and shook off) by which
means it will neither stain, soil, or in the lca=t hurt
the finest silk or damask bed that is. The quantity
here ordered of this curious neat white mixture,
which costs about a shilling, will rid anv one bed
c> ' ^
whatever, though it swarms with bugs. Do but
touch a live bug with a drop of it, and you wili find
it die immediately ; if any should ba^ppei tc ap-
2 1C DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
pear, after once using, it will only bo for war;.
well wetting the lacing, &c. of the bed. or the fold-
ings of the linings or curtains, near the rings, or the
joints, or holes in and about the bed or head-board
\vl:cr---i?i the hugs or nits nestle and breed, and then
their being well wet altogether again, with more of
the same mixture, \\hicli dries in as fast, as you use
it. pouring some of it into the joints or holes where
the sponge or brush cannot reach, will never fail
absolutely to destroy ihein all. Sonic bods, that
have much wood \\ork, can hardly be thoroughly
cleaned without first Kin/ taken down: but others
* *
that can be drawn out, or that you can get well be-
hind te be done as it should be, may.
. v -'y. . The smell iliis mixture occasions will }>(
gone, in two or throe- days, which is yet very whole-
some, and to nrmy people agreeable. You must
nemberalv ke the liquor together very
well whenever y<iu use it, which must be in the d.ty-
tinic, not by c < ; d Might, h st the subtlety of the
ire should catch tho i> as you are using it.
and occasion damage.
4CM. An
The risk of bugs in a large city is incvv
clothes-box oi servants, the going to a public-place
or in a public-can, _ , or the insect being blown
aj; ill.-' appa ! \. Ml'- wall Ls, may
intr [HI i il i ito '.ii- house, r : ly PC-
whose ber! amir/
pure sweet oil Cwcc or fj'.ir
: ?mc ti-niil-.lr some
can b(. secure against, the;.
0-rupatior. of a house, a fjl.liy. l!j'-i.^h ;
very fine pred ;. - a ^r. who bas r r.
il to entrench it.-.e!t'i-: the \ ceiiir
In such a sitnatic.'i the chi i \' c
.were pasted up air-v . .
DOMESTIC ECONOMT.
of brimstone and salt-petre, (as used by the
makers of vitriolic acid) was set fire to with proper
precaution, in an earthen pan and sand, the doors
were shut, and the joints pasted up. The remedy,
and in such a case it was thought proper to fumi-
gate all the rooms, was effectual. Coloured hang-
ings, &c. which the gas might hurt, were removed
to the bedding, and to wood it does no injury.
There is however some difficulty in forming such
^a quantity of vitriolic acid gas, which is heavy and
not very expansible, as completely to penetrate the
crevices of the room in which the insects harbour.
As the oxymuriatic gas is at least as strong a poi-
son to animals as the vitriolic, there is no reason to
anticipate that it is not equally so to the bug, and
it is much more easily applied and more expansible.
It is likely to answer, but there has been no similar
opportunity of trying it. Coloured hangings should
be removed, as though that gas will not affect com-
pletely oxidated metallic dyes, it will bleach or
whiten the vegetable colours. After some hours' fu-
migation, the doors and windows should be thrown
open, without breathing, or as little as possible, the
air of the rooms. The remaining gas will then be
dissipated more quickiy than the vitriolic.
405. Economy in Fuel.
A saving of nearly one-third of "the coal consum-
ed in London may be made by the following easy
means: Let the coal ashes, which are usually
thrown into the dust Kn, be preserved in a corner
of the coal hole, and 'irike your servants to add to
them from your coal Leap, an equal part of the
small coal or slack, which is too small to be retain-
ed in the grate, and p.;ur a small quantity of water
upon the mixture. When you maki up your fire-,
place a few round coals in front and throw some of
this mixture behind ; it saves the trouble oi sifting
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
your ashes, gives a warm and pleasant fire, a nil !
very small part only will remain unburnt.
406. Another Method.
In managing your fires during the day, first b\
on a shovel-full of the dust and ashes from under the
grate, then a few coals, more ashes, and afterwards
a few more coals, and thus proceed till your grate is
properly filled, placing a few round coals in front.
You will find that the ashes retain the heat better
than coals alone ; you will have less smoke, a pica-
bant fire, and a very little waste left at night.
407. Economy in Tinder.
The very high price of paper, at present, renders
the saving of even the smallest quantity of linen or
cotton rags of consequence, as they sell very dear:
trilling as it may be thought, yet it will be found
that a considerable quantity of rags may be saved
in a family, by using as tinder for lighting matches the
contents of the common snuffers collected in tli
course of the evening.
-103. Plate Powder.
In most of the articles sold as plate powders, under
a variety of names, there is an injurious mixture of
quicksilver, which is said sometimes so far to pene*
trate and render silver brittle, that it will even break
with a fall. Whitening, properly purified from sand,
applied wet, and rubbed till dry, is one of the easi-
est, safest, and certainly the cheapest of all plate
powders ; jewellers and silversmiths, for small arti-
cles, seldom use any thing else. If, however, the
plate be boiled a little in water, with an ounce of
calcined hartshorn in powder to about three pints of
water, then drained over the vessel in which it was
boiled, and afterwards dried by the fire, while some
soft linen rags are boiled in the liquid till they ha\e
vholly imbibed it, these rags will, when dry, not
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
only assist to clean the plate, which must afterwards
be rubbed bright with leather, but also serve admi-
rably for cleaning brass locks, finger plates, &c.
109. Usefulness of Clivers, or Goose Grass.
Young geese are very fond of the branches of
this plant j the seeds may be used instead of coffee.
The expressed juice of the sterns and leaves, taken
to the amount of four ounces night and morning, is
/cry efficacious in removing many of those cutane-
ous eruptions, which are called, though improperly,
scorbutic: but it must be continued for sever?.!
weeks.
410. Important Uses of the Leaves of the Vine.
From experiments made by Sir James Hall, i;;
has been found that the leaves of the vine, dried in
the shade, make an excellent and extremely whole-
some tea, though differing in taste and flavour from
that commonly used. Besides, also being admirably
calculated for making vinegar, the prunings of the
vine, on being bruised and put into a vat or mash-
ing tub, and boiling water poured on them, in the
same way as is done with malt, will produce a liquor
of a fine vinous quality: which, being fermented,
forms a substitute for beer ; and which, on being
distilled, produce a good spirit of the nature of
brand} 7 .
411. Valuable Properties of Cherry-Tree Gum.
The gum that exudes from the trunk and branches
of the cherry-tree is equal to gum-arabic. HasseJ-
quist relates that, during a siege, more than an hun-
dred men were kept alive for two months nearly*
without any other sustenance than a little of this
gum taken into the mouth sometimes, and suffered
gradually to dissolve.
412. Valuable Properties of the Helianthus Annuus,
or Sun Flower.
The seeds afford a crood eatable oil ; the stalks
2-20 DOMESTIC EUOXOMY.
potash, when burned like those of Turkish com.
From the large quantity of pith in the stalks, paper
may be made.
The young stalks are eaten at Frankfort on the
Maine as greens ; and the old are used as fire wood.
413. Remedies against Fleas.
Fumigation with brimstone, or the fresh leaves 01*-
penny-royal sewed in a bag, and laid in the bed, will
have the desired effect.
214. Fly Water.
Most of the fly waters, and other preparations
commonly sold for the destruction of Hies, are vari-
ously disguised poisons, dangerous and even fatal
to the human species ; such as solutions of merru-
ry, arsenic, tVc. mixed with honey or syrup. The
following preparation, however, without endanger-
ing the lives of ( hildren, or other incautious per-
sons, is not less fatal to flies than even a solution of
;irsfnic. Dissolve two drachms of the extract of
quasia, in half a pint of boiling water; and adding
:i link s.-T.rar, or syrup, pour the mixture on phitcs,.
To this cnlirihg food the flics are extremely partial,
and it never fails to destroy them.
415. Tu make a wholesome Food of Cashes JY///.?.
Cashew nuts may be prepared as food, by blanch-
ing them with hot water to wash ofl' the caustic oil.
or roasting them in a pot like codec, but care must
be taken to avoid the smoke, which is very acrid.
They may also be prepared by sticking them on a
fork, and burning them at a candle.. The oil of tin
shell is abundant, and thoroughly roasts the kernel
within. The kernel of the fresh cashew nut is made
into an emulsion, like almonds, and universally us-
ed in the West Indies.
416. Economy in Candles.
In such candlesticks as are not made to slide, tin.
candles are frequently permitted to burn in. t l
DOMESTIC ECONOMY". 221"-
socket to great waste, and to the injury of the
candlestick ; this may be prevented by taking out
early the short piece of candle, placing it betwixt
three common pins stuck in an old cork, and put-
ting the cork in the candlestick.
Or rather give a penny for that ingenious utensil,
a save-all. It is at least as cheap, and prevents the
risk of setting fire to the house.
4-17. Curious small Cakes of Incense for perfuming
Apartments*
Take equal quantities of lignum rhodium, and
anise, in powder, with a little powder of dried So j
ville orange peel, and the same of gum benzoin, o.r-
benjamin, and beat all together in a marble mortar.
Then, adding some gum dragon, or tragacanth, dis-
solved in rose-water, put in a little civet; beat the
whole again together, make up this mixture into
small cakes, and place them on paper to dry. One
of these cakes being burnt in the largest apartment,
will diffuse a most agreeable odour through the
whole room.
418. To prevent the disagreeable Smell arising from
House Drains.
As the diffusion of this noxious matter, within
our dwellings, tends to produce disease and mortal-
ity, it cannot be too generally known that a cheap
and simple apparatus has been contrived for carry-
ing* off the waste water, &c. of sinks, and which at
the same time prevents the possibility of any air re-
turning back into the house from thence, or from
any drain which may be connected with it. It is
known by the name of a stink trap, and may be had
at any of the ironmongers. .
419. Polished Tea Urns preferable to varnished
ones.
Polished tea urns may be kept boiling with a
T 2
222 DOMESTIC ECONOMV.
much less expense of spirits of wine than such a-
are varnished; and the cleaner and brighter the
dishes, and covers for dishes, which are used for
bringing victuals to table, and for keeping it hot.
lie more effectual will they answer that purpose.
120. Management of Razor Straps.
Most razor strops are spoiled b} being left tooclrv
a drop or two of sweet oil, frequently added to the
.strap, would remedy this : and, after using the strap.
passing the razor on the inside of a warm hand,
gives the smoothest and finest edge ; putting the
razor in warm water makes it cut very keen, and
perhaps nothing makes a better ra/or strap than
crocus martis, with a little sweet oil rubbed well on
leather with a lass bottle*
171 . Essence of Soap fur Shai-in or ir-.'^iiug Hands.
Take a pound and a half of fine white soap in
l:in slices, and add thereto two ounces of salt of
tartar; mix them well together, and put this mixture
into one quart of spirits of wine, in a bottle which
will hold double the quantity of the ingredients ; tie
a bladder over the mouth of the bottle, and prick a
pin through the bladder; set it to digest in a gentle
heat, and shake the contents from time to time, tak-
ing care to take out the pin at such times to allo\7
passage for the air from wiJiin ; when the soap is
dissolved, filter the liquor through paper, to free it
irom impurities ; then scent it with a little bergainot
r essence of lemon. It will have the appearance of
jine oil, and a small quantity will lather with water
like soap, and is much superior in use for washing
or shaving.
o
422. Composition -for Shaving, without the U&'e of
Razor, Soap, or Water.
Itfix one pint and a half of clear lime water, two
eunces of gum-arabic, hall" an oucce of isinglass, an
DOMESTIC ECONOMY* 223
eighth of an ounce of cochineal, a quarter of an
ounce of turmeric-root (made into powder), a;i-
eighth of an ounce of salt of tartar, and an eighth
of an ounce of cream of tartar, together ; boil them
for one hour at least (stirring up the mixture during
the whole time of boiling, and be careful not to let
it boil over) clear it through a sieve ; then add two
pounds and a half of pumice-stone, finely pulveriz-
ed ; mix the whole together, with the hands, into
one cake, by the assistance of the white of two eggs,.
well stirred up. Then divide the cake, so made, in-
to twelve smaller cakes ; dry them in the open air
for three days ; put them into an oven of moderate
heat, for twenty-four hours, when they will be com-
pletely dry and fit for use. Apply them with a
gentle friction to the beard, and they will produce
the complete effect of shaving, by rubbing off the
hair.
4-23. To prevent Accidents from leaving a Poker ifi
the Fire.
' The following invention is equally simple and
secure. Immediately above that square part of the
poker, by blacksmiths called the bit, let a small
cross of iron, about an inch and a half each way, be
welded in.
The good consequences of this simple contrivance
will be 1st. If the poker, by the fire giving way,
should slip out, it will probably catch on the edge
*>f the fender.
2d. If it should not, it cannot injure the hearth o?
carpet, as the hot part of the poker will be borne
up some inches.
And 3d. The poker cannot be run into the fire
further than the bit, which, in regard to a polished
poker, is also of some consequence.
424. Economical mode of cutting Cauliflower.
Instead of cutting off the whole head of a cauli-
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
flower, leave a part on, of the size of a gooseberry,,
and all the leaves : second, and even third heads
will be formed, and thus they may be eaten for two
or three months ; when, at present, by cutting the
head completely off, the bed of cauliflowers are gone
in two or three weeks. They should be planted in
good moist ground, and treated in the same manner
as celery.
425. Substitute for Milk or Cream.
*/
Where cream or milk cannot be got, it is an ex-
cellent substitute to beat up the whole of a fresh
fgg, in a bason, and then gradually to pour boiling
i over it, to prevent its curdling. It is difficult,
from the taste, to distinguish ihe composition from
cSi and rich cream. This nu'^ht be of great use at
r.ca. as ''iiL.'- may be preserved fresh in various
ways.
. JVcc< Hints in those who use Copper Ves-
sels for culinary Purposes.
In domestic economy the necessity of keeping
ropncr vessels always clean is generally acknow-
ledged; but it may not perhaps be so generally
own, that fat and oily substances, and vegetable
acids, do not attack copper while hot : and. thrre-
fore. that if no liquid be ever suffered to grow cold
copper vessels, those uten>ils may be used for
every culinary pin-pose, with perfect safety.
Dr. Johnston*- relates the shocking case of three
men who died, after excruciating suifiT'ng-. in con-
sequence of eating some victuals prcpmcrd in an un-
clean copper on board the C\ clops frigate. Thirty
ty-thrce other men became ill, and \vere put upon
the sick-list, at the same time, ami from the same
cause.
Dr. Percival gives an account of a young Indy
who amused herself, whilr h^r iiair was dressing,
eating samphire pickle impregnated v>iih con-
DOMESTIC ECOXOMV. 223
per. She soon complained of pain in the stomach,
and in five cloys vomiting commenced, which was
incessant for two days. After this her stomach be-
came prodigiously distended; and in nine days
after (fating the pickle, death relieved her from her
sufferings.
To present Lamps from being; pernicious to
Asthmatic Persons, or others, liable to Complaints:,
oftke Chctt.
Let a sponge, three or four inches in diameter, be
moistened with pure water, and in that state be sus--
pended by a string or wire, exactly over the dame
of the lamp, at the distance of a few inches; this-
substauce will absorb all the smoke emitted during
the evening, or night, after which it should be rins-
ed in warm water, by which means- it will be again-
tendered fit for use.
428. To make economical Wicks for Lamps.
When using a lamp with a flat wick, if you take
a piece of clean cotton stocking, it will answer the
purpose as well as the cotton wicks which are sold.
in the shops.
429. Useful Properties of Celandine.
The juice of this plant cures tetters and ring-
worms, destroys warts, and cures the itch.
430* Economical Use of Roots of Trees.
In many parts of England and Scotland, trees are
cut down above the surface of the earth, leaving
the stumps an incumbrance to the ground, when
they might be rooted up to advantage, if used in the
foliowing manner: Dig out these butt ends, or.
stumps, and with a common augre, bore a hole in
their centre, about six or nine inches deep, into
which put a charge of powder of three or four inch-
S ; then fill up the space above it by an iron screw.
2j DOMESTIC. LCOXOMi'.
of the same dimension-, and put a quick rn
about eighteen inches long, into the hollow ot' tl
screw, and set fire thereto, and retire ; the el plosion
i split the log or stump into various pieces, in one
of which the screw will be found retained. .Much
valuable fuel may be thus obtained from the knotty
roots of oaks, elms, yew trees. &c.
The screws, and other implements for this pur-
pose, may be seen at the Society of Arts, in the A-
delphi, or may be purchased from Tvlr. Knight, iron-
monger, Foster-Lane, Cheapside.
431 . Application of the Roots of Fir-Trees or Pines.
The roots or butt-ends of fir-trees, split in the
niai.ncr above-mentioned, will yield a considerable
quantity of pitch and tar, by the following manage-
ment : Make a hole in the earth, a few inches deep,
on the side of a hill, in which lay a coat of clay, and
therein pile the fir roots, split as above, and cut to
the length of not more than three feet, upon bars oi
n laid above (he Kolr. and the logs piled up at
the distance of half an inch from each other, and
each row laid cross-way of the other, to any height
required, fire is to - f o the top of the pile, and
as it consumes thr un.vj, the pitch, tar, and rosin,
contained in the wood, melt and run from it into the
hole below, and from thr-nco bv a small trench into
~\ large hole, made several feet deep in the ground,
to receive the.se prod:,
132. fnl PI-I-J- r.'ics of J\>'<1 .^, -ur .
U'arts or corns un.-iintrd wiiii t!io j'llce of this
plant, presently disappear. A drop of it put into ihr
boilov of a decayed isrd act'iit-"' /';."///, destroys the
nerve, and consequently removes the pain. Some
people rub it behind the ears thpt it may
U;K! by that m^nn? g'\" p relief.
'
DRAWING. 227
433. Paste, or Food for Singing 'Birds, superior to the
German Paste in common Use.
Well mix, or kn^ad together, three pounds of split
peas, ground or beat to flour, one pound and a half
each of fine crumbs of bread and coarse sugar, the
fresh yolks of six raw eggs, and six ounces of unsalt-
ed butter. Put about a third part of the mixture, at
a time, in a frying pan, over a gentle fire, and contin-
ually stir it till it be a little browned, but by no means
burnt. When the other two parts are thus done, and
all are become cold, add to the entire quantity six
ounces of maw seed, with six pounds of good bruised
hemp seeds separated from the husks. Mix the
whole well together, and it will be found an excel-
lent food for thrushes, red robins, larks, linnets, ca-
nary birds, finches of the different sorts, and most
other singing birds, admirably preserving them in
song and feather.
CHAPTER XVII.
DRAWING.
434. To make Transparent Paper for Drawing,
Tracing paper is readily made by taking a sheet
f very thin silk, or other paper, and rubbing it over
gently with some soft substance, filled with a mix-
ture of equal parts of drying oil, and oil of turpen-
tine, which, being suspended and dried, will be
fit for use in a few days ; or it may be had at any
of the shops. Lay this transparent material on the
print or drawing to be transferred, and, with a sharp
black lead pencil, trace the outlines exactly as the/
28 'DRAWING.
appear through the paper. If more permanent or
stronger lines are wished, ink mixed with ox-gall
will be necessary to make it adhere to the oiled sur-
face.
435. To Trace Drawings or Prints against the
Light.
There are two methods : one to lay the print,
. flat against a pane of glass, with thin paper over
it, when the lines appearing through it are to be fol-
lowed by the lead : the other is more convenient,
and consists of a frame inclosing a square of glass,
supported by legs, on which the paper is laid as
before, and a candle placed behind the glass. A pen
and ink may be used u, this manner, but they can-
/iot in the former instance.
13G. Method of u.in Trrrl;^ Paper.
Take a piece of the si/.o required, and rub it
equally over, OM one side, with black lead, reduced
o a powder, till the surface will not readily soil a
finger; then lay a piece of white paper with the
leaded side of this paper next to it, under the print ;
und securing them firmly together with pins at the
corners, proceed to take the outlines with a blunt
point, and some degree of pressure, which will
transfer the lead, to the clean paper precisely in the
direction the point passed over tho print; this m;y
be corrected with the Mack It-ad pencil, and cleans-
-ed of any soil by the crumbs of stale bread.
437. To copy DraiKin^^ AT. irlihfn o7 Material*.
Rub a thin piece of pupcr thoroughly an:
ly with fresh butter, and after well di'xi;^ it b
fire, cover it with black lead, or with carmi;.
lamp-black, or blue bice, on the other sick- whi-
received the butter. When the operation has so far
succeeded, as that the colour-will not i'-dhi-rc to any
M;l;>iancc passed over it, lay the coloured surlb/
DRAWING;. 229
on white paper, the print on it, and trace the sub-
ject through with a point as mentioned in the fore-
going receipt.
438. To transfer any Impression with Vermillion.
Mix the colour with linseed oil in a state suffi-
ciently fluid to flow from the point of a pen, with
which let every line of the print be accurately trac-
ed ; then wet the back of it, and, turning the face
downwards on clean white dry paper^ place the
other paper on the back, and gently rub or press it
till it may be supposed the red lines are completely
transferred to the paper from the print.
439. Transparent Paper.
Wet some fine paper with a feather on both sides
with a thin layer of rosin, dissolved in spirits of
wine. It will then serve to put over any thing you
wish to take off.
440. Method of copying a Design.
Wash the surface of a flat plate of glass with a
solution of gum-arabic, in water, to which a small
quantity of vinegar has been added; or you may
instead thereof, moisten the surface only with white
of egg : when dry, lay the under side of the glassy
which has not been moistened, on the design you
want to copy, and with a soft red lead pencil trace the
whole that you may wish for. Then, having a
sheet of white paper properly moistened, lay It up-
on your pencil drawing, and pressing it on the glass ;
take off the paper before the egg liquor is re-dis-
solved, and you will have your design transferred
upon the paper from the glass.
441. To preserve Pencil and Chalk Drawings.
1st. Get a pan, or tub, sufficiently spacious to
admit the drawing horizontally ; fill it with clean
water, arid run the drawing through iu that dirtfc-
DRAWING.
lion; then lay it on something flat to dry. Tint
vill take off the loose lead.
2dly. Fill the same vessel a second time, with
rather more than one-third new milk, and the re-
maining part clean water, through which run the
drawing again horizontally, and leave it to dry as
before.
Do not lay the drawing, while wet, on any col-
oured wood, such as mahogany, -&c. which will
stain the paper in streaks.
Should milk be scarce, you may mix a little (in
the proportions above-mentioned.) in a teacup, and
venture to run the drawing lightly over with a cam-
el-hair pencil, the water having already taken ofT
the superfluous lead, and, in some degree, fixed
the other : but be particularly light with the pencil,
never touching the drawing twice in the same place.
442. Method of Celling Pencil Drawings.
A solution of alum in water, in which the draw-
ing is to be dipped (not washed on with a brush, as
it would smear) will answer the purpose extremely
well.
443. jru*h fr preserving Drawings^ made irith a
Black Lead Pencil, or with Hard Black Chalk.
A thin wash of isinglass will fix either black lead
or hard black chnlk, <kc. as to prevent their rubbing
out ; or the same effect may be produced by the
simple application of skimmed milk. The best
way of u.->in^ the latter, is, to lay the drawing flat
upon the surface of the milk ; and then, taking i
up expeditiously, to hang it by one corner til! it
drains and dries. The milk must be perfectly free
from cream, or it will grease the paper.
444. Easy Method of taking off a perfect Copy of a
Print r Draici/ig.
Take a piece of clear lantern horn ; lay it upon.
DRAWING. 23 1
the print or picture you wish to take off; then, with
a crow-quill dipped in Indian ink, draw every stroke
of the outline upon the horn ; when dry, breathe
upon that side of the horn whereon you made youi*
draught, three or four times, and place it directly
on a damp piece of clean white paper, with th<?
drawn side downwards ; then pressing it hard with
the palm of your hand, the drawing will stick to
your paper, and the horn come off clear.-
445. To mzke a Drawing Desk or Frame.
Cause a frame to be made of a reasonable size,,
so that a pretty large piece of crown glass may rest
upon it, supported by a ledge at the bottom part,
where, by two hinges, it may be fastened to a draw-
er of the same dimension, which may be divided
to serve for pen, ink, and paper, and other small
utensils, or instruments for drawing. To the top-
of the frame fix two stays, by which the frame may
be raised higher or lower, as occasion may require.
The manner of using the frame is thus : lay the
print or drawing you intend to copy on the glass,
and fasten a sheet or piece of fine white paper, with
some wafers or paste, upon it ; if it be io the day-
time, place the back, after you have raised the
frame to a proper height, against the window, but
if night, put a lamp behind it, and you will see eve-
ry stroke of the print or drawing, which, with your
pen, you may copy very accurately, arid finish
according to the manner you think proper; if it be
a solid piece which you intend to copy, then place
it behind the desk, and having fastened your paper
in the frame, put the lamp so as to produce a strong
shade on the object you have before you to draw,
and you will plainly see to trace the shape with your
pen, or black lead pencil; after which, shade it in
the manner it appears to you without the desks
-
CHAP. XVIIJ.
o. Method of rendering *Js?i.--!(tncc to A /><</?,> ;jj.
Danger oj Drotcnii.^.
His desirable object appears attainable by the
proper use of a man's hat and pocket handkerchief,
(which being all the apparatus necessary) is to be
used thus: Spread the handkerchief on the ground,
and ] '. h;it. with the brim downwards, oo the
middle of the kerchief; and then tie the hand-
hat as you would tie up a bun-
ping il-.c knots as near the centre of the
T .\vn as may be. No\v, by seizing (he knots in
one hnnd, and keeping th ling of the hat up-
"-^n, "- ; 'hoMf Knowing now IL
'y. J -lunge into the water with \vh;i>
: . vc the li!' fa fellowr-crea-
re.
If a person shouM Ml on! of a boa', 01-
i ;)! of i .At. or sl'.onld he fa
['the quays, or i i fill into ;my \vaterfroiu
whit'i In- ii:M !:-!. rxtricaio hinx if. but must.
wail some li'ih- lime f i . h;:d he pres-
ence of n:it;d enough fo whip olV iii^ lint, and hold ii
by the brim, placing his inr.;. is within-side the
rown, i.!id hold it so, (lop d'jwnv.ard-) he would
be able, by thi^ method. i> kc<-pl:is mouth well a-
}>ove water till assistance should reach him. It of-
'rn happens that danger i- <'< scrir-i long before
\ve are involved in the peril, and time enough to
prepare the above method ; and a courageous per-,
son would, in seven instances out of ten, apply to
them with success ; and travellers, in fording riv-
"rs at unknovvn fords, or vhcrc- shallows are
DYEING. 233
lul, might make use of these methods with advant-
age.
447. Mtlhod of recovering Persons apparently drown-
ed, as recommended by the Humane Society,
Let those who first discover an unfortunate object
ifi this situation remove it to some house near, place
it by the fire, and begin by rubbing it with salt, vo-
latiles, &c. and warm flannels, the head a little ele-
vated ; never attempting giving any thing by the
mouth till signs of recovery strongly appear, and
let the person be kept from a crowd of people a-
round him. The idea that the stomach is full ot"
water, and thus obviates recovery, is very errone.-
ous and prejudicial, as it is now fully and clearly
established, that the respiration being impeded is
the sole cause of the suspension of life, and which
being restored, the vital functions soon recover
their tone ; and men are frequently lost from the
absurd custom of rolling on casks, lifting the feet.
over, the shoulders, and the head falling on tho.
ground.
CHAPTER XIX,
.DYEING.
443. To -make a Liquid for staining Bone or Wood
of different Colours.
Take strong white wine vinegar in a glass ves-
sel, and put to it filings of copper, with some Ro-
man vitriol, roach alum, and verdigris, and leave
it thus infused for stven days ; then boil it in some
vessel, and by putting into it bone, ivory, or wood,
it will penetrate, and giv.e it a green colour. If any
u2
234 DYEING.
other colour is required, as red, blue, or yellow, put
Brazil wood, indigo, French berries, or any other
such colours, to infuse in the vinegar, with a little
roach alum.
449. Art of dyeing or straining Leather Globes, to
resemble the. beautiful York Tu/i, Limerick Dye*
&c.
These different pleasing hues of yellow, brown,
or tan colour, are readily imparted to leather gloves
by the following simple process : Steep sait'ron in
boiling hot soft water for about twelve hours ; then,
having slightly sewed up the tops of the gloves, to
prevent the dye from staining the insidcs, wet them
over v . ith I* :pon;_;-? or soft brush dipped into the
liquid. 'y of saffron, as well as of wa-
ter, \vill of course depend on how much dye may
be w ' ; and thei;- relative proportions, on the
clep'h <:' coloi.. . 'I. A common teacup will
contain sufiiciofit in quantity for a single pair of
gloves.
To & fain Wood a Jine Black.
Drop a liule oil of vitriol into a small quantity of
viicivrub :he same on your wood, then hold it to
the fire until it. becomes a fine black, and, when
polished, it will .eeuinc-ty beautiful.
451. '!' In Wuod a beautiful Red or
,
( D >'u:
square j Fpla o wood, a line in
ihickncs.-. into pounded . ; 3n's blood, from the
Canaries, mixed with oil 01' turpentine, over the
inc. ir* a glas: vessel, tho v.ood will slowly assume
Jhe colour, even before the spirit has volatilised*
After more ihan an hour take the vessel from the
fire, and let it stand the whole ni-ght r when the
wood will appear of a mahogany colour, not merely
QO. the surface, but also in !u interior parts.
235
denser fibres will be somewhat less coloured ; but.
this, instead of injuring the beauty of the wood, will
rather add to it. The red dye can be made strong-
er or weaker, by taking a greater or less quantity of
dragon's blood, and by a greater or less degree of
digestion and boiling. The wood of the plane-
tree is best for this purpose^ because it can be ea-
sily sawn and polished ; because it has a white col-
our; is neither too hard nor too soft ; has beautiful
white spots with veins that cross each other ; and
because artists, who make inlaid works, have long
attempted to colour it by staining. The wood,
when stained, can very easily be freed from the
dragon's blood adhering to it, by means of rectified
spirits of wine- The spirit of turpentine makes the
wood more compact, and readers it more suscepti-
ble of a fine polish.
452. To make Nankeen Dye*
Boil equal parts of arnotto and common potash,,
in water, till the whole are dissolved. This will
reduce the j?/z/e reddish buff sa much in use, and
sold under the name of Nankeen Dye.
453. To dye Cotton a Jltie Ruff Colour*
Let the twist or yarn be boiled in pure water, to
cleanse it ; then wring it, run it through a dilute so-
lution of iron in the vegetable acid, which printers
call iron liquor ; wring, and run it through Hme wa.-
ter, to raise it j wring it again, aad run it through
a solution of starch- and water ; then wring it once
more, and dry, wind, \varp, and weave it for use*
454. Substitute for Galls in Dyeing and also in mak*
ing Ink.
The excrescences on the roots of voung oaks
< O
may be used with^advantage as a substitute for galls-.
Oak dust has been used in this country instead of
-36 DYEIN'G.
^
galls, to produce a black dye : so also has a stroi,/
decoction of logwood, copperas, and gum arable.
455. Easy Method of Dyeing Yellow or Green.
The plant called weld, or dyer's weed, affords a.
most beautiful yellow dye for cotton, woolen, mo-
.
hair, silk, and linen, and is that which is most com-
monly used by dyers for that purpose, as it gives
the brightest dye. Blue cloths dipped in a decoc-
tion of it become green.. The yellow colour of the
paint, called Dutch pink, is got from this plant ; the
tinging quality resides in the stems and branches
and it is cultivated in sandy soils, because rich soil-
are apt to lessen its value, by making the stalk hoi-
v..
Wood green.
Dissolve verdigris in vinegar, or crystals ofvcr-
digris in water; and, with the hut solution, bru&L
over ilic wood till it be duly stained.
To sta hi Horn to imitate Tortoise Shell.
The horn to be stained must first be pressed in.
proper plates or scales, or other flat form. The
. . \\ii)ir mixture must then be u.-rd :
:kc of quicklime two parts, of litharge one, and
per them to the consistence of a soft paste with
lye. Put this p;i>te overall the parts of the
rn, except such a,s are proper to be left transpar-
(. in order to the greater resemblance of the tor-
<oisc shell. The horn must then remain thin cov-
d with the paste till it be thoroughly dry : \V!K
hi } :e being brushed off. the horn will be found
partly opakr and partly transparent in the manm
of tortoise shell ; ami when put over a foil, will be
archly distinguishable from it. ft requires some
degree of fancy and judgment to dispose of the paste
in such a manor to forma variety of transpar-
ent parts, ofdifferent magnitude and figure, to look,
237
j
like nature. This may be done by mixing whiten-
ing with some of the paste to weaken its operation
in particular places, by which spots of a reddish
brown will be produced ; that if properly inter-
-pcrsed, especially on the edges of the dark parts,
will greatly increase as well the beauty of the work
as its similitude to the real tortoise shell.
4o8. Substitute for Verdigris^ in dyeing Black.
Saturate two pounds of vitriol of copper with a
strong alkaline salt, (American potashes, when to
be procured, are recommended.) The vitriol will
make about an equal weight of dry ashes. Both
the vitriol and the ashes are to be previously dis-
solved apart. When this proportion is mixed, well
stirred, and suffered to stand a few hours, a precipi-
tate will subside. Upon adding a few drops of the
solution of ashes, if the mixture be saturated, the
water on the top of the vessel will remain colour-
,-,* K, u ;fnot, a blue colour will be nroduced,
jClJb, 1 /" ' ^
upon which add more ashes ; there f.s no danger m
being a little over saturated with ashes. Take care
to add tiie solution of ashes to taat 01 vitriol by 0.
lit'le at a time, otherwise the effervescence which
ensues will cause them to overflow the vessel : these
four pounds of vitriol of copper and ashes will be
equal to about the same weight of verdigris, and
should be added to the other liquors of the dye at
different times, as is usual with verdigris.
The black, thus dyed, will be perfectly innocent
to the goods, rather tending to keep them soft than
-II*
corrode them, particularly hats, in which there is
the greatest consumption of verdigris,
For those who are constantly using verdigris, it
would be proper to have a vessel always at hand,
containing a saturated solution of vitriol of copper.,
and another with a saturated solution of ashes, rea-
dy to mix as they ore wanted 5 for they do not an-
swer so well if kept long*
238 DYEING.
459. Another Substitute for
Take one part of the very best sal-ammorli is
quarter part of oil of vitriol, one half part of
ibrlis, one quarter part of muriatic acid, c;nd twelve
parts of cold spring water, which, when thoroughly
mixed together, is to be put ino sheets of copper,
of any size, turned up at the edges about h-ilf an
inch all the way round, to prevent the mixture from
running oil*. The mixture is then to be stirred \\rll
up every two or three hours, until the same is dis-
covered to be of a srecn or bluish cast or bodv. The
D .
mixture miict then remains few hours, until it is
settled. ! ihe water at top appears perfectly
clear, which will happen sooner of later, itdcpmd-
, upon the temperature of the atmosphere. The
w;tier must then be carefully poured ofT, leaving the
sediment at the bottom. It must be then put into
any vessel of sufficient size, and ifil is thoroughly
prrpand, the paint will bear writing in water to
free it from dirt, &c. after ' aing. the
water must be poured from the ; .. The paint
may :!,. H !> :.i'k.-r, and prepared in tun y put-
ling the sai:ic into moulds of an;. ie
convenient, observing . aine
in a mild wa- ia room, When it is quiic dry, it may
_i"und into powder with ease, or remain in the
)um .be convenient; it is then lit for us<
Remark. This preparation is much clearer
vcrdi.ri- mad '-\ .-ir.it ;i) i.'ig . r-plates, or by
.-f'kition witli the impure viuejiars which pay no
T
dutj
FLEASING EXPERIMENTS.
CHAPTER XX.
EXPERIMENTS
?<
460. To produce Gas Light, on a small Scale.
Take an ordinary tobacco-pipe, and nearly fifl
tho bowl with small coals, and stop the mouth of the
bowl with any suitable luting, as pipe clay, or the
mixture of sand and common clay, or, as clay is apt
to shrink, of sand and beer, and place the bowl in
a fire between the bars of a grate, so that the pipe
may stand nearly perpendicular. In a few minutes,
if the luting is good, the gas will begin to escape
from the orifice of the pipe, when, if a piece of
lighted paper or candle be applied, it will take fire
and burn for several minutes with an intense light.
When the light goes out, a residum of useful pro-
ducts will be found in the bowl.
461. The Phosphoric Pencil
Is a small bit of phosphorus, put into a quill, and
kept in a phial, in water ; when you write, dip
your pencil often in the water, to prevent its taking
fire.
462. The Fire Bottle.
Take as much unslacked lime as will lie on the
point of a small penknife, put it into a short battle^
then put in about half a drachm of phosphorus, and
shake it gently until it takes fire ; then blow gently
into the bottie until it has done crackling or friz-
ing, and it will be fit for use.
463. To make the Phosphoric Match Bottle.
These bottles may be prepared by mixing one
2-40 PLEASING EXPERIMENTS.
part of flower of sulphur with eight of phosphorus.
This requires caution, and should afterwards be
handled with great care, lest any part of the mix-
ture get under the finger nails, a small portion of
which might occasion great inconvenience. When
used to procure a light, a very minute quantity is
taken out of the bottle on the point of the match,
and rubbed upon cork or wood, which produces an
immediate flame.
4G4. To makt an Illuminated or Phosphoric Bottle,
i-ihldi will preserve its Light for scicrul Months.
i'tv putting a piece of phosphorus, the size of a
poa, into a phial, and adding boiling oil until the
bottle is a third full, a luminous bottle is Ibrmccl ;
-, on taking out the cork, to admit atmospheric
:-.ir, the Mnpfy ^pacc in the phial will become lum-
ino .
\\ Copper is taken out in the night,
"-i: ' lr_ r !it will 1 . 'Ived, to shew the hour
ji< a waich ; and if care be taken to keep it. in
il, well closed, it will prescr - illumina-
CT for sevtTiil months.
.;. To take 1 . t / ' . ' D( :;is
ie S!K -: close grained, and
i . shcu' made with a pen dij
ink, forme* on of lac : in leys of pure so-
. to which should 'deled some soap and larrp-
ck for coloui .' - :o harden for a IMV
ys 5 the" following man-
r : dip the -CL in \vatc,', then dab it with
}T - id printer's bails; the ink sticks to
the (}. and not to the stone, and the impression
may ! ;en \vith wt't paper by means of a rolli:
or scre\v-prcss r in the ordinary mariner,
hundred copies may be ' !Vor^ tl
js simple i
PLEASING EXPERIMENTS. 241
166. A cheap and simple process for Painting on
Glass, sufficient for the Purpose of making a Magic
Lanthorn.
Take good clear rosin, any quantity, melt it in^an
iron pot : when melted entirely, let it cool a little,
and, before it begins to harden, pour in oil of tur-
pentine sufficient to keep it liquid when cold. In or-
der to paint with it, let it be used with colours
ground with oil, such as are commonly sold in co-
lour shops.
467. To make Transparent Screens for the Exhibi-
tion of the Phantasmagoria.
Transparent screens are to be prepared by
spreading white wax, dissolved in spirits of wine or
oil of turpentine over thin muslin. A screen so pre-
pared will roll up without injury. A clearer screen
may be produced by having the muslin always
strained upon a rectangular frame, and prepared
with turpentine instead of wax. Such a screen is
not always convenient, and it cannot be rolled with-
out cracking, and becoming in a short time useless.
Therefore, nothing can be better for the purpose
than the former.
468. Thunder Powder.
Take separately, three parts of good dry salt-
petre, two parts of dry salt of tartar, and pound
them well together in a mortar; then add thereto
one part, or rather more, of flower of brimstone, and
take care to pound and mix the whole perfectly to-
gether : put this composition into a bottle with a
glass stopper, for use.
Put about two drachms of this mixture in an iron
-spoon, over a moderate fire, but not in the flame ; in
a short time it will melt, and go off with an explo-
sion like thunder or a loaded cannon.
1 AKIUE1.
CHAPTER XXI,
FURRIERY.
1C9. d Receipt f of the Cholic i/i a Ilm-
One table-spoonful of ginger beat and sifted, t\vr>
or three table spoonfuls of flower of mustard, a gill
of gin, and a quart of warm ale, mix them together,
nnd give them in a horn. In an hour or two walk the
horse out, arid repeat it the following day ; care
. hould be taken that the horse drinks nothing bur
wanned water fur two or three days after.
470. Distemper in Dogs.
Dr. Blainc has described the disease, called (lit.
Distemper in Dogs, with accuracy, and his medi-
cines in general, are successful: but a gentleman
had administered Dr. Ulainc's medicines to a fa-
vourite pointer, in the disease called The Distem-
per, but with no avail ; the unvarying symptom-
had come on, when the poor animal crawled inu.
the field, and fell among some grass, attcmptii.
but in vain, to eat it. The gentleman followed this
suggestion of nature, and ordered a handful of grri
to be cut in shreds of about half an inch long, and
when mixed with butter, to be put down the ani-
mal's throat ; the dose was repeated three times in
every twenty-four hours, and a visible amendment
almost immediately took place, which terminated in
recovers.
V
471. To know ichelker a Dog is mad or not.
Dogs suspected of being mad are frequently kill-
ed, leaving persons bitten in a dreadful uncertainty,
whether the clogs were or were not really mad : th-
TIRE
following experiment has been supposed conclusive
on this head: rub the mouth, teeth, and gums of
the dead dog, if free from blood, with a little roast
or boiled meat, and offer this meat, so rubbed, to
.mother dog, who will eat it without reluctance if
the dead dog was not mad, but will refuse it, and
run away howling from it, if the dead dog was really
mad. It may be further satisfaction to the parties
concerned, to keep the dog tied up for some days,
if he eats the meat so prepared.
CHAPTER XXII,
FIRE,
Method of extinguishing Fires in Chimnie*.
Stop with a wet blanket the upper oriiice of the
tunnel ; but the surest and readiest method is to
apply the blanket cither to the throat of the chioi-
..ey, or over the whole front of the fire-place. \i
[here happens to be a chimney board or a register,
nothing can be so effectual as to apply them im-
mediately : and having by that means stopped the
draught of air from below, the burning soot will be
put out as readily and as completely as a candle is
put out by an extinguisher, which acts exactly upon,
the same principle.
473. To extricate Horses from Fire.
If the harness be thrown over a draught, or the
saddle placed on the back of a saddle horse, they
may be led out of the stable as easily as on com-
mon occasions. Should there be time to substitute
244 FIRE.
the bridle for the halter, the difficulty towards sav-
ing them will be still further diminished.
474. Method of rendering all Sorts of Paper, Lu>
en, and Cotton, less combustible.
This desirable object may be. in some degree, ef-
fected, by immersing these combustible materials in
a strong solution of alum water; and, after drying
them, repeating this immersion, if necessary. Thus,
neither the colour, nor the quality of the paper, will
be in the least affected, on the contrary, both will
be improved ; and the result of the experiment may
be ascertained, by holding a slip of paper, so pre-
pare'], over a candle.
'7.3. To prevent JFood. Linen, $*c. from catching
Fire.
One ounce of sulphur, one ounce of red ochre,
ind six ounces of a solution of copperas. To pre-
vent wood from catching fire it is first to be covered
v.-i'li joiner's glue, over which the powder is spread.
process is to be repeated three or four times
r the wood is become dry. In linen and pap^r,
at( r is to be used fhstead of glue, -mi: the process
is repeated twice.
176. Method to escape from F,
The following simple machine ought always to
be kept in an upper apartment. It is nothing more
than a shilling or eightcen-penny rope, one end oi
'.icli should always be made fast to something in
* ^y
lie chamber, and at the other end should be a noose
to let dowi> children or inarm persons, in case 01
fire. Along the rope there should be several knots,
o serve as resting places for the hands and feet of
'he person who drops down by it. No family o. cu-
rving high houses should ever be wilhout a contriv-
ance of this kind,
FIRE. 245
;77. To make Water more efficacious in extinguish-
ing Fires.
Throw" into a pump, which contains fifty or sixty
buckets of water, eight or ten pounds of salt or
pearl ashes, and the water thus impregnated will
wonderfully accelerate the extinction of the most
furious' conflagration. Muddy water is better than,
clear, and can be obtained when salt and ashes can-
not.
478. To extinguish Fires speedily.
Much mischief arises from want of a little pre-
sence of mind on these alarming occasions ; a small
quantity of water well, and immediately applied, will
frequently obviate great danger. The moment azi
alarm of fire is given, wet some blankets well in a
bucket of water, and spread them upon the floor of
the room, where the fire is, and afterwards beat out
the other flames with a blanket thus wet : two or
three buckets of water thus used early, will answer
better than hundreds applied at a later period.
Linen thus wet will be useful, but will not answer
so well as woollen.
179. Hint respecting Women's and Children's Clothes
catching Fire.
The females and children in every family sho\j){[
be particularly told and shewn that flame always
tends upwards, and consequently, that as lone; as
they continue erect or in an upright post:, re while
their clothes are burning, the lire g.er.evally be-in-
ning at the lower part of the dress, the flames meet-
ing additional fuel, as they ri. e , become more
powerful in. proportion ; whereby the neck and
head, being more exposed 'imn other parts to the
intense and concentrated 'neat, must necessarily be
most injured. In a ca?e of this kind, where the suf-
ferer happens to be alone, and cannot extinguish..
FJRE.
the flames by in&ta fitly throwing the cloi/n.< oi-cr ih'
In ad, and rolling or lying upon them, she may still
avoid great agony, and save her life, by l/trowi.
herself at full length on the floor, and rolling herself
lh':ron. This method may not extinguish the flame,
but to a certainly will retard its progress, prevent
fatal injury to the neck and head, and afford oppor-
tunity for assistance : and it may be more practica-
ble than the other, to the aged and infirm. A carpet
or hearth-rug instantly lapped round the head and
body is almo.-t ,. certain preventive of danger. (And
sec- pp. 120, 1J1. CHAT. xni. CLOTHES.)
480. To stop the Progress of Fire on board of Shi f
From the great confu.-ion occasioned by the
cdnrm of fire on board a ship, with the difficulty often
of ascertaining the precise spot where it is. it ap-
pears almost impossible to devise any means fo pre-
vent the progress of such an accident when once it
has got head.
The only mean that seems to promise success is
o convey water to any part of the ship according to
ihc following method: To place strong pipes
through the decks, close to the sides of the vessel ;
'hose going to the hold must be cased, to prevent
their being damaged by moving stores between the
lucks. These may be so distributed that every part
between the decks may be within the reach of a
*tream o f water issuing from them. The magazine
and plan where spirits and infljmmable stores arc
'vopt ought V) have the greatest number of pipes
ubout them, tOrp rcV ent ihc fire reaching those part?.
Streams of wa-^ r to the part on fire may be di-
rected by a leva- fixed on the top of the pipe, the
end of which corrcspoi/lJng with the aperture be-
iow, the same vertical p!a-a e will pass through the
ever and the stream.
Small engines, such a? those used for watering
FIRE-ARM : , >
gardens, will be sufficient for the purpose* Two
men only will be required for the service of each
pipe, one to supply it. and the other to direct the
stream.
CHAPTER XXIIL
.AXD THE MANAGEMENT OF
1. To brown Gun-Barrels.
After the barrel is finished, to give it a brown co
lour, it is to 'be rubbed over with aquafortis or spi-
rit of salt diluted with water, and then to belaid by,
for a week or more, till a complete coat of rust is
formed. A little oil is then to be applied, and the
surface being rubbed dry. it is to be polished by
means- of a hard brush and a little bees'-wax.
482. To keep Anns and polished Metal from Rusi.
Dissolve one ounce of camphor in two pounds of
hog's lard, observing to take off the scum; then
mix as much black lead as \vill give the mixture an
iron colour. Fire arms, &c. rubbed over with this
mixture, and left with it on twenty-four hours, and
then dried with .a linen cloth, will keep clean for
many months.
183. To prevent Humidity from being prejudicial to
Powder Magazines.
A Prussian officer of rank informed St. Pierre
that having remarked vapours to be attracted by
lead, he had employed it for drying the atmosphere
248 FIRE-ARM;.
, a powder magazine, constructed under groun-
in the throat of a bastion, but useless from its humid-
. lie ordered the concave ceiling of the arch to
lined with lead, where the gunpowder was de-
posited in barrels : the vapours of the vault collect-
S in great drops on the leaden roof, run off in
streamlets along the sides, and left the gunpowder
barrels perfectly dry.
18 1. To recover damaged Gunpowdi .
The method of the powder merchants is this : they
put purl, of the powder on a sail cloth, to which the)
-K!..[ an cijiiid weigh; of what is really ^ood ; then,
,:ha shovel. th<-\ mingle it well together, dry it in
lie sun. rind keeping it in a dry and
pro p< r place.
i. T> v Force of Gunpowder,
Dr 1 ys, three ounces of pulverized quick-
lime bf iriL; at] l-'d to one pound of gunpowder, its.
'bive gmen! i d . -ne-thinl : >hrd\e the whole to-
gether till the white colour of the lime disappears*.
6, M';':'>(1 nf a i/i, Efforts of Gitnpow-
so she\ t/n ,V ty of certain Pre-
in loading /'// <,?.
It is a \vHI known fart, which cannot be too often
published, tli.it a musket, fowling piece, &c is very
apt to burst if (he wadding ib not rammed down close
to '.lie powder. Ik-ncr it is obvious, that in loading
i :' w ! arrel pisk-1. r;iic should br taken that the
ta\iiy for the powder l>c entirely filled with it, so
!fu\c no space between the powder and the
b;
a bomb or shell is only half-filled with gur.-
powdor, it breaks into a great number of pieces;
\vhereas.ifit is quite filled, it merely separates into
two or three nieces, which arc thrown to a very
great distance.
FIRE-WORKS,
If the tMmk of a tree is charged with gunpowder,
for the purpose of splitting it. and the wadding is
rammed down very hard upon the powder, in that
rase the wadding is only driven out. and the tree
remains entire ; but if, instead of ramming the wad-
7? O
ding close to the powder, a certain space is left be-
tween them, the effects of the powder are then such
3.: : to tear the tree asunder.
CHAPTER XXIV,
FIRE- WORM.
-187. To make Sky Rockets*
The charges for sky rockets are made of sale
petre four pounds, brimstone one pound, and char-
coal one pound and a half; or by another direction,
saltpetre four pounds, brimstone one pound and a
half, charcoal twelve ounces, and meal powder two
ounces. These proportions vary again according to
the 'size of the rockets ; in rockets of four ounces,
mealed powder, saltpetre, and charcoal, are used
in the proportions of 10, 2, and 1 ; but in very large
rockets the proportions are, saltpetre four, mealed
powder and sulphur one each. When stars are
wanted, camphor, alcohol, antimony, and other in-
gredients, are required, according as the stars are
to be blue, white, &c. In some cases gold and sil-
ver rain is required; then brass dust, steel dust, saw
dust, &c. enter into the composition ; hence the va-
rieties may be almost indefinite. With respect to
colour, sulphur gives a blue, camphor a while or
pale colour, salt-petre a whitish yellow, sal-ammo-
.'he. a green, antimony a reddish,. ro,>in a
GARDENING BOTAN'Y.
.olour. These materials require preparation be lore
.hey are Ik for use ; and before a person can be
qualifier) for the business of fire-work making, he
ist understand the method of making the moulds,
cases, &c. and be acquainted with the instruments
used in the art, their dimensions and materials.
4G8. Improvement in Fire-Works.
Professor Proust has discovered that nitrate of
soda is an economical article in their composition;
ind that five parts of the nitrate, one of charcoal, and
>ne of sulphur, afford a powder which produces sr
lutiful reddish ydlow colour,
CHAPTER XXV.
GA RDENL\G BO TA
E( T, /. MA.\A(;I:MF,NT OF (;RI
I-IOUSK, &c.
Pi'fj,*!' Situation for a Grccn-fwusc, or Ru(
The aspect ol a i-house may be at any point
1:1 cast to \vest, following the course of the sun ;
or it may even Lc a little to the north of ^ast or west ;
but only a little, and the less the better, otherwise
the plants* will not generally thrive in it, nor will th<
flowers acquire their natural colours.
490. To air Plants, and ventilate ll'iuin? n-h'.rchi
they arc contained.
Plants should have air, every day in the year, to
make them grow well ; but this matter, in sitting-
m?. will r.e* of course be regulated for tlu'
JMAN'ACEMENT 01' SEEDi. C 2ol
sakes, especially in the colder seasons. Wherever
placed, however, some attention should be paid to
airing and ventilating the rooms regularly, by open-
ing the windows and occasionally the doors, in or-
der to excite a free circulation of air. This should
be done to a certain extent every day, according to
the .state of the weather, except in the time of se-
vere frost, when it would not be advisable to admit
external air. But at such times, if bad weather be of
long continuance, the rooms may be ventilated by
means of the doors, and by exciting a current of aii
in the passages, or other parts of the house.
In very severe frost, or in a continuation of damp
weather, moderate fires should be made for the sake
of the plants, if placed in rooms not occupied. The
window shutters should also be closed at night.
SECT. II. SEEDS.
491. Easy Method of discovering whether or noi
Seeds are sufficiently ripe.
Seeds, when not sufficiently ripe, will swim, but
when arrived at full maturity, they will be found uni-
formly to fall to the bottom ; a fact that is said to
hold equally true of all seeds, from the cocoa nut to
the orchis.
492. On preserving Seeds of Plants in a Stale ft for
Vegetation.
Seeds of plants may be preserved, for many months
at least, by causing them to be packed, either in
husks, pods, &c. in absorbent paper, with raisins
or brown moist sugar; or a good way, practised by
gardeners, is to wrap the seed in brown paper or
cartridge paper, pasted down, and then varnished
over.
I:;G BO! ANY.
493. To facilitate the Growth of Foreign ^
Mr. Ilumbolt has found, that seeds, which do no(
commonly germinate in our climate, or in our hot-
houses, and which of course we cannot raise for our
gardens, or hope to naturalize in our fields, become
capable of germinating, when immersed for some
days in a weak oxygeniscd muriatic acid. This in-
teresting discovery has nlready turned to advan-
tage in several botanic gardens.
SECT. fll.MANAGEMENT OF GAllbEV
BORDERS
,. \nt and makt Edgings.
K< rs of daises, thrift, violets, gentianella,
uld be planted in F< bruary ; bu' those of
eed I '.cr. if planted in April or August.
few edgings should be planted rather closely,
;li;ii :li ( y m:iy liavj an immediate ell'./ct ; and, in iv-
g old f.nc- ::it very close, that the whole
iti: pear the more uniform. Some plant these, in
*_'ii!i<. : -, \\ith the dibiilc. but it is bdt r to .do
this wiih ihc spa<l" : cu; e >ut b\ the line, a drill
or furrow, pi rpendicular, on the Fido next i!ic bor-
der, and to a dcpih suitable to tlio si/c of the roots
be laid; placing them i-i.-t the perpendicular
side, and spreading out th(.-ir fibres sideways: ex-
posing them to the air as >hort a time as possible.
435. llr^ (n cut Bo\ /'</i//'// -.
O O
I^ox edgings should Ije cut about the beginning of
April, or in the end of .1 uly. They should, however,
be cut oner a yrar, and should be kept two inches
;n breadth at bottom; being tapered up to a thin
edge at top ; for nothing looks so ill a* a br ^- bushy
CULTURE, &C. OF FLOWERS. 253
edging, especially to a narrow walk. The use of
fedging is to separate the earth from the gravel, arid
-the larger they arc allowed to grow, the less effeo
tual they become ; getting the more open below, as
they advance in height. Such also harbour snails,
and other troublesome vermin.
496. A sure Method of curing Gravel Wall
Three parts pond water to one of brine, from the
salting-tub in a family, poured with a watering per
upon gravel walks, will not only kill the moss upo;
them, but drive away the worms which make
many holes in them, and also prevent weeds spring-
ing up. This a gentleman has lately tried, who
has several gravel walks in a grove near his house.
Since he moistened his walks with brine, which is
now four years ago, they are incommoded neither
x>y moss, weeds, or worms. Every autumn he caus-
es them to be well watered with the brine and pond
-water, during a whole week, to prevent moss, and
a week in the spring, to guard against weeds and
worms, besides giving them a sprinkling every now
and then in summer season, when they seem to
want. it.
SECT. IV. CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT
OF FLOWERS.
4<7. Proper Method of laving Carnations.
j. / *7 O
In summer, towards the latter end of June, or
any time in July, or beginning of August, when
the shoots of "the year are advanced to a proper
'growth, being from four, five, or six, to seven or
-eight inches long, which are to be laid as they grow
on the plants, and to remain affixed thereto til:
footed in the ground,
'w
2,54 GARDENING BOTANY.
Thus far observed, b^gin the work by first cle;.r
*ng away all weeds about the plants, and loosen the
earth a little around them, and if the surface rs low,
add some mould thereto sufficient to raise it high
enough to receive the layers easily ; then begin the
laying the shoots one by one ; strip off the lower
leaves so as to have some inches of a clear .shoot
below ; and trim the top leaves shorter and even,
and then slit or gash the shoot on the under side .-.
in Joins u'hicli, llx on a joint about the middle of
the shoot underneath, and with your sharp km
cut hall through the joint, and slanting upwards, so
to slit the shoot up the middle half an inch, or
but little mop-- ; which done, directly lay it, by
"bending it down to the earth with the ^nsh or t>lit
3 D
jnut o.(jii, making an opening in the earth, and j<
iuloun with one or two of the small-hooked sticks,
and earth over :he body of the layer an inch or two
deep, still keeping the slit open and the top raised
gently upri ... ing the earth moderately upon
them ; and in this manner proceed with laying all
the shoots on each plant ; and when all are laid
give a gentle watering to settle the rarih close a-
bout the I. . i, and repeat it frequently in dry
weather.
They will snun emit roots at the gasii or slit port,
generally at the bottom of the tongue, and in f r. < DJ
\- weeks will often be rooted lit for separating and
planting off from the parent, so that v. hen they have
Leen about five, six, or seven weeks laid, you will
examine the progress they have made in rooting,
by opening the earth gently about some of the lay-
ers ; and as soon as they appear to be tolerably
rooted, let them be cut ofV from the old plant with a
sharp knife, in order to be timely planted out in
nursery beds, that they may root more abundantly,
and get due strength before winter ; observing, in
cutting them off from the mother plant, to open UIQ
CULTURE, &C. OF FLOWERS.
.and so as to take them up with all the roots they
oave made, and cut them clean offbeyond the gash';
afterwards trim off any naked woody part or bot~
'om, hut preserve all the roots, and trim the lon/v
tops a little, then plant them in nursery rows, six
inches asunder, or you may prick sorae in small
pots, one layer in each, giving water directly at
planting, and repeat it often in dry weather till
they take good root, and grow freely, keeping them
clean from weeds.
Those in the nursery beds will, by October, be
good strong plants. The choicest sorts may then
be planted in pots, to move under occasional shel-
ter in time of severe frost, and for which purpose,
either use small pots (32) to contain them all win-
ter, or plant them in large pots (24 or 16) to remain
to flower, observing to take them up out of the nur-
sery beds for potting, ore. with a garden trowel,-
each layer with a good ball of earth about the roots ;
and having the pots ready, placing a shell over the
holes at bottom, and put some good light rich earth
therein ; plant one layer with its bail about the
soots entire, in each pot, fill up with more earth,
and give some water; you may also at the same
time plant some of the more ordinary or common
sorts into flower- borders or beds, to stand the fu!
weather all the year, but the choicer sorts in the
pots, may, in November, be placed close together,
either in a garden-frame, to have occasional protec-
tion of the glasses, or mats, in severe frost, and have
tho- full air in all open weather and mild days, or
may be plunged in a raised bed of any dr} 7 compost,
raised some inches above the common level, and
arched over with hoop arches, in order to be pro-
tected with occasional covering of garden mats when
hard frosts prevail ; but in either method be sure
to expose thorn fully in all open weather, as afore-
said.
SARDEXIXfi - BOTA
In the spring, such as have remained all winter
pot-, should, in February, or early in March.
be turned out with the ball of earth about the root,
and planted into larger pots, to remain for flower-
ing, giving proper waterings ; and those which were
potted at once into larger pots in autumn, should
now have the earth stirred at top, taking out some,
and fill up with fresh good earth, and give a little
water.
The layers planted in the common borders of the
pleasure and flower garden require no other care
than keeping them clean from weeds, and tying i
the flower stalks to sticks when they are advanced
long enough to require support.
4', ( 8. Plants wdtcred by being placed in Dishes, im-
pr
The practice of placing flats o.r saucers under
prints, and l' eding them by ihc ror.N. that K pour-
in;; the water se dishes; v-
er on the earth at top, is hi.J.'iy improper. Tho
wafer should alwn\ < e of the
eanh. th.it it may JJltrr com: !i it, to
the benefit and irl'n'>hn-K-nt of the iibn .
499. Hi. ant A Perennial Flowers.
Many kinds of annuals and ; \\-\\ \\\
"March and the ! will he f : ,t '
tr;.: j about th . and may either
be p; pafci 5, r in '
i'ancy *!nll Jirc-ct. Of these, -
by ti,-:-, = plai:: arc, amaraothuses, China as'cr-.
coliiujbints, h and African marigolds v
glovcs, holly hocks, India pink-, I >vo lies a 1
ing, mallows, migniotte, prince's feather.
stocks, sun-flowers, swcct-wiliiams, wall-ilov,. rs,
and others. They should be planted out in a sh<v
cry time, if possible, or otherwise be frequently
Catered, till they have struck root.
CULTURE, &C. OF FLOWERS.
500. To remove Herbs and Flowers in the Summer,
If you have occasion to transplant in the summer
season, let it be in the evening after the heat is
past, plant and water the same immediately, and
there will be no danger from the heat next day ; but
be careful, in digging up the earth, you do not
break any of the young shoot?, as the sap will exude
out of the same to the great danger of the plants.
501. Method cf growing Flowers -and Fi-al's duri
Winter*
In order to produce this c fleet, the trees or shrub -
being taken up in the spring, at the time when the\
are about to bud, with some of their own soil care-
fully preserved among the roots, must be placed
upright in a cellar till Michaelmas : when, with th-
addition of fresh earth, they ;ire to be put i-: f o
proper tubs or vessels, and placed in a stove or hot-
house, where they must every aiorr.iug be moisten-
ed or refreshed with a sohrion of half an ounce of
sal-ammoniac in a pint of rain water. Thus, in the
month of February, fruits or roses will appear ; and
with respect to flowers in general, if they are sown
in pots at or before Michaelmas, and watered in a
similar manner, they will blow at Christmas
502. To preserve delicate young Shoots of Ifozuers-
from Slugs and Ear&igs*
Earwigs and slugs are fond of the points Oi -
young. shoots of carnations and pink, and are very
troublesome in places where they abound. To
prevent them from getting to the line stage plants,
or supports of the stage, they are sometimes insu-
lated in water, being set in cisterns or pans. If
pencil, dipt in oil, was drawn round the bottom of.
the posts once in two days, neither of these insec'.i
^xorants would attempt them. Few insects can en~
GARDENING BOTANY.
dure oil. The smallest drop of it is instantly fatal
to many kinds.
4.03. Virtues of the Sun-Flower.
The cultivation of the annual sun-flower is recom-
mended to the notice of the public, as possessing
the advantages of furnishing abundance of agreea-
ble fodder for cattle in their leaves. When in flow-
er, bees flock to them from all quarters to gather hon-
ey. The seed is valuable in feeding sheep, pigs,
and other animals ; it produces a striking effect in
poultry, as occasioning them to lay more eggs, and
it yields a large quantity of excellent oil, by pres-
sure ; the dry stalks burn well, the ashes affording,
a considerable quantity of, alkali.
50 4 . Toprcsc ri' r /Von- c r Seeds.
Those who are curious about saving flower seeds,
must attend to them in the month of August. Many
kinds will begin to ripen apace, and should be care-
fully slicked and supported, to prevent thrrn from
being shaken by high winds, and so parily lost.
Others should be defended from much wet ; such as
asters, marigolds, and generally those of the class
Syngenesia ; as from the construction of their flow-
ers they are apt to rot, and the seeds to mould, in
"bad seasons. Whenever they are thought ripe, or
indeed any others, in wet weather, they should be
removed 'to an airy shed or loft, gradually dried }
and rubbed or beat out at conveniency.
SECT. V. CULTURE AND TREATMENT
OF FRUIT TREES AND SHRUBS.
505. To prevent Blossom and Fruit Trees from
damaged by early Spring Frost.
If a rope (a hempen one it is presumed) be inter
CULTURE, &C. OF FRUIT TREES AND SHRUBS. K>
mixed among the branches of a fruit-tree in blos-
som, and the end of it brought down, so as to ter-
minate in a bucket of water, and should a sligh':
frost take place in the night-time, in that case th,
tree will not be affected by the frost ; but a film of
ice, of considerable thickness, will be formed on
the surface of the bucket in which the ropeV end
is immersed, although it has often happened that
another bucket of water, placed beside it for the
sake of experiment, has had no iee-at all upon ito
506. Chinese Mode of propagating Fruit Trees.
The ingenious people of China have a common
method of propagating several kinds of fruit trees,
which of late years has been practised with success
in Bengal, The method is simply this : They
strip a ring of bark, about an inch in width, from a
bearing branch^ surround the place with a ball c
fat earth, or loam, bound fast to the branch with a
piece of matting : over this they suspend a pot on
horn, with water, having a small hole in the bottom
just sufficient to let the water drop, in order to keep
the earth constantly moist. The branch throws ne .Y,
roots into the earth just above the place where the
ring of bark was stripped, off. The operation is
performed in the spring, and the branch is sawn of
and put into the ground at the fall of the leaf, The
following year it wilHbear fruit.
507. To improve Fruit Trees by Attention to the Col-
our of the Soil.
The colour, and also the quality of soils have aiv
effect on the colour and flavour of fruits even on
the colour of many flowers. The effects of the co-
Jour of soils, on that of fruits, are most perceptible
on the delicate kinds, such as grapes, peaches, &c,
but to a nice observer, it extends in a greater or less-
degree to all fruits, For instance, if two black
GARDENING BOTAXT.
Hamburg grape-, made from the cuttings of the
same plant, shall he planted, the one in a dry hazely
]oam, and the other in a moist black earth, the fruit
of the one will be brown, or of a grizly colour,
and the other very dark red or black: and the grape
will be more juicv. though better in flavour, thru*
J o
the other grown in a drier soil.
0' To incr< th? Growth in Tree .
It may be depended upon as a fact, that by oc'
sionaiiy washing the stems of trees, their growth
v,-il! ! e greatly increased : for several recent cxpcri-
nts have proved that all the ingredients of vcge-
ion united, which arc received from the roots,
:n. br-aiv':- s, :i-J leaves, of a mossy and dirty
tree, do not proi: die increase either in wood
or i ". hose stem is clean. It
is clear: it proper nourishment cannot.
recei fir the dirty stem will retain
iht . _ in when clean, arid the moss
9
&Q c*t parts of the dew, and
lik act as a skreen, by depriving the tree of
that share of sun a ir which it rc'jiiin.'s.
A common sen:' -brush and clean v/ater i~-
uli that is only caro luL 1 /. be observed,
noi to injure the bark.
" J. To pr cnd'Ka'.?>its from barking
''. .ilution?.
Hare?., r s, and rat*, have a natural antipathy
;o tar ; but tar. though fluid, contracts, when ex-
sed to the sun and air fora lime, a gn ut dryness
.' a very . ,,ig quality; and if 'applied to trees
in its natural state, will occasion them to be bark
bound. To remove this di;li'-\'Uy, tar is of so stro
. . nur, that a small quantity mixed \vithothcr
things, in their nature open and loose, will give li
whole mixture such a d r-f i'/j own tas'.c 31
CULTURE, &C. OF FRUIT TllEES AXD SHRUBS, 26 1'
smell, as will prevent hares, etc, touching what it
is applied to.
Take any quantity of tar, and six or seven times
as much grease, stirring and mixing them well to-
gether : with this composition brush the stems of
young trees, as high as hares, &c. can reach ; and
it will effectually prevent their being barked.
510. Bad Effects of Iron Nails, &c. on Fruit Trees ^
or mischievous Effects of Iron Nails iu Conjunc-
tion with Branches of Fruit Trees*
It often happens that some of the limbs of fruit'
trees, trained against a wall, are blighted and die,
while others remain in a healthy and flourishing
state. This has been hitherto erroneously attribut-
ed to the effects of lightning; but, from closer ob-
servation, and from several experiments, it has been
found to arise from the corroding effects of the rust
of the nails and cramps wit-i which trees in this situ-
ation are fastened. To avoid this inconvenience,
therefore, it requires only to be careful in "prevent-
ing the iron from coming in contact with the bark
of the trees.
511. To destroy Moss on Trees.
Remove it with a hard scrubbing-brush in Feb-
ruary and March, and v/ash the trees with cow--
d
dung, urine, and soap-suds.
512. Necessity of faking off' superfluous Suckers
from Shrubs.
Many flowering shrubs put out strong suckers
from the root, such as lilacs, syringa, and some of
the kinds of rose?, which take greatly from the
strength of the mother plant : and which, if not wan-
ted f, r the purpose of planting next season, should
be twisted off, or otherwise destroyed.
'6 13. To cure, the Disease in Apple Trees.
Brush off the wh;'^ down, clear off the red staia
NG fi ST.
underneath it. and anoint (i ccs l<
liquid mixture of train oil and h sin;
J 1 4. T:
it then; olTto the qui< -'PPb' a P''-' cc
ind bark !'i and ' wi:h
a ,' 1 a ne w sh
will t/row si n a year < 'U will ''.
ii
513. A Method of Injected with
an E. Blight.
Where ^ 'le, fruit trees a ro infected with this
ight, they may, \viih link* trouble and expense,
h-? in a lime currd, by i tiu'in with
l)rini- ^trewcd ci 1 ! ; this eliVrtual-
ut the workman must observe to get
to wi :i of the . as i' :;( fumes both of briin-
i.arcoal ai ^ery offensive and jcml-
.
IM ; cr r. - washing; and sprinkl;
1 trci . - :ie to time, with common
,;i not had any thing
steeped in i?) nr.d tl, 'Mier that i^ performed,
!iene\ / \ er) the bi tter ; and
i 10 !: il i:i-
. cloth lo i U-ar
tfiern if possible, i , . that
eir respirati tion may i." 1 . be ob-
Stlructrd. ;!id ' som< tubs, an
iced near the I p their tender parts
a ductile slate, and L'rr;.ilv keep them; bi:'
"vl. er tin- 'ij'i"ation of washing th< r-
formed, it should be early in the ...:y. that the;:
'ure Liay be exhaled before the cold of the ni^ht
c,. !. c>, rciully if the nights are iVo^tv. nor
should it be done when the sun >hines \'< ; , bo! uj.
on the wall, which would be subject to scorch u,
i [er blossom.
CULTURE, &c. OF FRUIT TREES AND SHRUBS. 263
516. Experienced Method of heating Wounds in
Trees.
This method consists of making a varnish of com-
mon linseed oil, rendered very drying, by boiling it
for the space of an hour, with an ounce of litharge
to each pound of oil. mixed with calcined bones,
pulverized and sifted, to the consistence of an al-
most liquid paste. With this paste the wounds of
trees are to be covered, by means of a brush, after
:he bark and other substance have been pared, so
s to render the whole as smooth and even as pos-
sible. The varnish must be applied in dry weather,
in order that it may attach itself properly.
^17. Composition for healing Wounds in Trees.
Take of dry pounded chalk, three measures ; and
of common vegetable tar, one measure : mix them
thoroughly, and boil them, with a low heat, till the
composition becomes of the consistency of bees-
wax ; it may be preserved for use, in this state, for
nny length of time. If chalk cannot conveniently
be got. dry brick dust may be substituted.
Application. After the broken or decayed limb
has been sawed off, the whole of the saw-cut must
be very carefully pared away, and the rough edges
of the bark, in particular, must be made quite
smooth; the doing of this properly is of great con-
sequence ; there lay on the above composition, hot,
about the thickness of half-a-crown, over the wound-
ed place, and over the edges of the surrounding
bark ; it should be spread with a hot trowel.
518. To prune Wall Fruit.
Cut off all fresh shoots, however fair they may
appear to the eye, that will not, without much' bend-
ing, be well placed to the wall; for if any branch
happen to be twisted or bruised in the bending or
'urning (which you may not easily perceive) al-
G4 G ARDLNIXG EOT.'- N V .
though it may grow and prosper fur the prcs nt. yci
it will decay in time, and the sap or gum will issue
from that place.
519. To prune Vines to Advantage
In prnnii: 1 ^ vines, leave some new branches cver\
year, ai; c away, (if too many) some of the old,
which will l>e of groin advantage to the tree, and
niUL-h i;,c;^ase the quantity of fruit.
When \ ou trim your vine, leave two knots, and
cut them off the i.ext lime: for. usually, the two
buds vieM D bur L r f,.pes. Vines, thus pruned,
Lave 'jecn known to b^ar abundantly, whereas
others that ha\e lc n rut c!" please the e;.
have IN f;i ,f fruit.
0. 77'. 'fiim . - fif /"/
ought {obt //. utical and econO'
.
It is at that p . ! icnil. int is in full flow-
er, tli.ii ill'- I- heir full virtue. Th
rl'ciilar lii'c has ' .ated.
T. VI. ( TI/I EANDM4 I-XT
R( ;
2 j . 7 -
Miiiiy 1 . I'opa-
it< -.1 1-y cuttings or
i to nnr-c on ; sha< or
till they have struck root. r :
Out where ihey are to icn.ain. If <
middle, or end of the . thr-v will be iv
v
transplantipg before the end of ' . >t,
' \' ( : v
CULTURE, &C. OF GARDEN CROPS.
The kinds are marjoram, mint, sage, savory, sor*
rei, tansy, tarragons, and thyme.
-522. An> Method of rendering Asparagus more pro-
ductive^ and of producing it in every Month in the
Year.
The flowers of asparagus are found, on a strict
examination, to be diajcious, although arranged by
Linna3ns, and other botanists, as hermaphrodite.
Those individuals which bear berries have abor-
live stamina, and those which have perfect stamina
-are destitute of pistils, or at least have only abor
tive ones.
The male plants throw up a far greater quantity
of shoots than the female ones, although not quite
equal to them in size.
In the formation, therefore, of beds, the male
plants only should be selected, which may easily be
tlone by not planting them from the seed bed until
they have flowered.
When the plants are one year old, transplant
diem into the other beds, at six inches distance ;
let them remain there until they flower, which will
be, in most of then\ in the second year; put a small
stick to each male plant, to mark them ; and pull up
the females, unless you chuse to make a small plan-
tation with some of them, to prove the truth of the
experiment.
As asparagus is esteemed one of the greatest deli-
cacies which the garden affords, no person fond of
it should be unacquainted with the method of pro-
ducing it in every month of the year.
Towards the end of July, especially if it be rainy
weather, cut down the stalks of the asparagus, fork
up the beds and rake them smooth. If it be dry, wa-
ter them with the draining of a dunghill; but, in
stead of leaving them round, leave them rather flat
or hollow in the middle, the better to retain the wa
12C6 LAKUHMNU -- liUAAAF.
ter or rain. In about twelve or fourteen days tin a*
paragus will begin to appear, and if it be dry wea-
ther, continue watering once or twice a week.
By this method you may cut asparagus till about
the end of September, at which time the hot-b<
will succeed this ; so that by making five or six hoi-
beds during the winter, you may have a regular suc-
cession of it every month of the year.
Some persons will object to cutting the same bed-.
twice a year: to obviate this objection, leave two
ur three beds uncut in spring, and make a few more.
beds, if you choose to follow the practice.
Asparagus seed is very cheap; nor is it necessa-
ry to use .^o much as was formerly used in making
the beds. It is better to apply a little rotten dung on
he tops of the beds, and to sow some seed every
year, that you may have plenty of plants for forcing
and making new beds. Be not too fond of continu-
ing the old ones, when you perceive they begin to
tail, but make new ones, and force the old roots.
i:23. To raise Capricwnt, and make Cayenne
f Cayenne pepper is a spice used in most families,
and often cultivated in the gardens for ornament,
without either gentlemen or gardeners knowing that
ihey have so valuable a spice in their possession ;
ibr the usual price is a shilling an ounce, and even
then it is not much dearer than black, as it \\ill go
about four times as far.
This pepper originally came from Cayenne, in
South America, (and other warm countries) from
whence it took its name, but is now so naturalized
to this climate as to be raised on a common hot-bed
in spring.
It is produced from the capsicum, which is raised
for ornament, with many other annual flowers, or
for pickling the green pods, and is the seed and pod
when ripe.
CULTURE, &C. OF GARDEN CROPS. 26?
fn March or April, procure some pods of any of
;he sorts of capsicums, as there are many varieties
of them of different shapes; take out the seeds, and
sow them on a hot-bed, not too thick*
When they arc about four inches high, prick them
out on the hot-bed, at six inches asunder; or put
each into a small pot. or three into a large one, and
keep them siill under the glasses.
In June, when the weather is settled, plant them
all in a warm situation, in rich earth, where they
are to remain; some on the borders of the flower-
garden, and some into larger pots, which you can
^belter in bad weather*
-V2 i. New Method of raising Cucumbers.
From the best seed that can be got of the com-
mon prickly cucumber, raise plants on a moderate
hot-bed, not hurrying them too much in their growth.
In May, when the danger of the frost is nearly over,
familiarise the plants, by degrees, to the air, and
towards the latter end of the month plant them in
the open ground against a south wall. Take care
not to give them too much water, as that will injure-
the fruit. When they have run up about five feet,
they will send forth blossoms, and the fruit will be-
gin to shew itself soon after. The flesh of cucum-
bers raised in this manner will be thicker and firm-
er, and the flavour vastly more delicious, than those
raised from the same seed, but planted in the ordin-
ary way, and the runners suffered to trail "on the
ground. Though a south wall, in most gardens, is
too much appropriated to other things, to give room
for cucumbers in general, yet in every garden a few
plants may be so trained by way of rarity, and to
save seed, which is found to be greatly improved by
this method, so as to produce much better cucum-
bers in the common way of raising them. One or
two plants, so raised, will supply a sufficient quan-
tity of seed for a large garden.
-,8 GARDENING BOTAV. -
Laying a cucumber, or melon bed, \v:th tiles, is
also of particular service in improving the fruit, and
giving it a proper flavour.
525. Tujif'if.n! ih. ://' vular Grozcth of Melon .
It is well knov/n that melons frequently in certain
situations, lose their circular form, and grow larger
jn one side than the other, and that those mistapen
-.'its are always bad. To remedy this, take a small
>rked slick, in proportion to the size of the melon.
and thrust ii into : mi ml ns nearly as po
I!K tail of the fruit, taking the precaution to lay n
little moss between the twi. and suspend the
i-;oa to this fork. In a lew d iirmcl-.n vviil rr-
lOie i!.-, iurm, when the lurk may be removed, and
lie u| ^ration is i'r !. The quality of the fruit
. '.
sing JU
If (!. \\:ii(M- \\!:i rt-iu mushrooma have been sloop-
od o bed be poured upon an old bed, or if the
parts of mushrooms be strewed thereon.
. ? .- cdily i-at numi
27. T<) (jlUi.n 6: - ' nf Onl'i
In order to obtain a good crop of onion-., ii
proper to sow at dilii r- : - viz. ir< light soil-,
m August, .' ry, or early in l-cbniar\ : ;:nd iu
heavy u-( i ^ .iU. in 3Iarch, or t-arly in April. Onion^,
howevu', should nut be sown in J;ni:i:.ry, unle>.- lii-.-
ground V/c in . luclj i- n-u oj'.en the case
at so raily ;. period ol the reason ; but if so, Advan-
tage should be taken c; it.
523. Tkc. Advantage i.i < \ ^ras in Circl
o O
1 1 c a d of s t ro ig It t R<> a- . .
It is a great error in those persons who sow tin
tows of tall growing peas close together. It i^ mn
^r in all fli"-.' oort^, \vhich ''\*w six or ci
kj '
CULTURE, &C. OP GARDEN CROPS, 269
feet high,' to have only one row, and then to leave a
bed ten or twelve feet wide for. onions, carrots, or
any crops which do not grow talk
The advantages which will be derived are, that
the peas will not be drawn up so much, be stronger,
will flower much nearer the ground, and in wet wea-
ther can be more easily gathered without wetting
you.
But instead of sowing peas in straight rows, if
you will form the ground into circles of three feet
diameter, with a space of two feet between each
circle, in a row thirty feet long, you will have sir
circles of peas, each nine feet ; in all, fifty-four feet
of peas instead of thirty, on the same extent oi
ground.
If you want more than one row of circles, leave
a bed often or twelve feet before you begin another.
"/ O
For the very tall sorts, four feet circles will afford
nore room for the roots to grow in, and care must
be taken, by applying some tender twigs, or string?,
to prevent the circles from joining each other.
This method is equally applicable for scarlet
beans.
-329. To raise Peas in Autumn, and lo prevent Mice
from eating them when sown.
The purple-flowered peas are found to answer
best for a late crop in autumn, as they are not soli-
able to be mildewed as many of the other sorts, and
will continue flowering till the frost stops them.
Those peas may be sown in July, August, or so
late as the first week in September, if sown ia a
warm sheltered. situation, and in a soil inclining to
sand.
Soak the peas in warm milk, and after you have
drawn the drills, water them before you sow the
peas ; it is best to sow them towards the evening*
x2
270 GARDENING BOTANV.
If the autumn should prove very dry, they will re-
quire frequent watering.
AN hen peas are sown before winter, or early in
spring, they are very apt to be eaten by mice.
To prevent this, soak the peas for a day or tw<
in train oil before you sow them, which will encour-
age their vegetation, and render them so obnox-
ious to the mice, that they will not eat them.
/>30. Method of cultivating Radishes for Salad, so as
to have them ready at all Seasons of the Year.
Take seeds of the common radish, and lay them
in rait) water to steep for twenty-four hours ; then
put them quite wet, into a small linen bag, well tied
at the mouth with packthread. If you have steeped
i large quantity of seeds, you may divide them into
several bags. Then expose the bags in a place
where they will receive the greatest heat of the sun,
tor about twenty-four hours, at the end of which
,'mc the seed will begin to grow, and you may then
.. it in the usual manner, inearth well exposed to
lie heat of the sun. Prepare two small tubs to cov-
r each other exactly. These may be easily pro-
vided, by sawing a small cask through the middle,
aid they will serve in winter; in summer one will
be sufficient for each kind oi earth that has been
own. As soon as you have sown your seeds you
Eiiust cover them with your tub, and at the rnd of
three days you will find radishes of the size and
thick nets of young lettuce, having at their extremi-
ties two small round leaves, ri-i:;L r from the earth,
of a reddish colour. These radishes, cut or pulled
up, will be excellent, if mixed with salad, and they
have a much more delicate taste than the common
radishes which are eaten with salt.
By taking the following precautions you may
iaavr them in the winter, and even during the hard-
est frosts ; After having steeped the seeds in warm
CULTURE, &C. OF GARDEN CROPS. 271
water, and exposed them to the sun as already di-
rected, or in a place sufficiently hot to make them
shoot forth, warm the two tubs ; fill one of themu
with earth well dunged ; sow your seeds, thus pre-
pared, in one of them, and cover iuvith the other
tub; you must then be careful to sprinkle it with
warm water as often as may be necessary. Then
carry the (wo tubs closely joined, taking care they
cover each other, into a warm vault, or cellar, and
at the end of fifteen days you may gather a fine
salad.
531. To preserve Strawberry Plants from ihe Pleat of
the Sun,. <-c.
Sir Joseph Banks, from a variety of experiment ,.
and the experience of many yeai 1 ^. recommends a
general revival of the now almost obsolete practice
of laying straw under strawberry plants, when the
fruit begins to swell ; by which means the roots are
shaded from the sun, the waste of moisture by
evaporation prevented, the leaning fruit kept from
damage, by resting on the ground, particularly in
wet weather, and much labour in watering saved.
Twenty trusses of long straw are sufficient for 1800-
feet of plants.
532. Directions for managing Strawberries in Sum-
mer.
On the management of strawberries in June and
July, the future prosperity of them greatly depends j
and if each plant has not been kept separate, by
cutting off the runners, they will be in a state of
confusion, and you will find three different sorts oi*~
plants.
1. Old plants, whose roots are turned black, hard,
and woody.
2. Young plants, not strong enough to flower.
3. Flowering plants, which ought only to be
there, and perhaps not many of them*
272 GARDENING BOTAXF.
Before the time of flowering is quite over, exa
mine them, and pull up every old plant which has
not flowered ; for, if once they have omitted to flow-
er : you may depend upon it they will never pro-
duce any after, being too old, and past bearing ;
but to be fully convinced, leave two or three, seta
slick to them, and observe them next yeap.
If the young plants, runners of last year, be too
thick, take some of them away, and do not leave
Miem nearer than a foot of the scarlet, alpines, and
wood, and fiftern or sixteen inches of all the larger
-oils ; and in the first rainy weather in July or Au-
gu-(. fake them all up, and make a fresh plantation
-viih them, and they will be very strong plants for
Cowering next your.
Old beds, even if the plants be kept single at
their proper distance, rxamin^, and pull all the old.
plants which I: tv<- twercd.
When the fruit is nearly all gathered, examine
again, and cut ':]' the runners; but if you
irit to make a froh plantation, leave some of the
.'j first, and cut off all the rest. Then stir up the
>und with a trowel, or three-pronged fork, and
MI \ugust they will be fit to transplant.
If you have omitted in July do no; fall in August,
'hat the runners may make good roots to be trans-
planted iii September, for, if later, the worms will
draw them ou*. of the ground, and the frost afterwards
a\ ill prevent them from striking root ; the conse-
quence of whicii is, their not flowering the next
spring ; and you will lose a year.
>. './o cultivate the common Garden Rhubarb.
It is not enough to give it depth of good soil, but
it must be watered in drought ; and in winter must
be well covered with straw or dung. If this is at-
tended to, your rhubarb will be solid when taken
out of the ground ; and your kitchen, if a warm
rt ; LTUIlE, dtC. OF G,\R0E\ CrtOI'.S. 273
when cut into large pieces, will soon fit it for
use
.
X3-1-. Method of cultivating and curmg Turkey. Rhu-
barb from Sec (i.
\s
The seed should be sown about the beginning of
Tebruary, on a bed of good soil, (if rather sandy,.
*he better) exposed to an east or west aspect in pre-
ference to the south ; a full sun being prejudicial to
he vegetation of the seeds, and of the plants whilst
yc-ung.
The seeds are best sown moderately thick, (broad'
cast; treading them regularly in, as is usual with,
pars trips and other light seeds, and then raking the
ground smooth. When the season is wet, make a
bed for sowing the rhubarb seeds upon, about two
feet thick, with new clung from the stable, covering
it near one foot thick with good soil.. The intent of
this bed is not for the sake of warmth, but solely
to prevent the rising of earth-worms, which in a
moist season will frequently destroy the young crop.
h' the seed is good, the plants often rise too thick :
if so, when they have attained six leaves, they
-should be taken up carefully (where too close,) leav-
ing the standing crop eight or ten inches apart :
those taken up may be planted at the same distance
in a fresh spot of ground, in order to furnish other
plantations. When the plants in general are grown
to the size that cabbage plants are usually set out
for a standing crop, they are best planted where
they are to remain, in beds four feet wide, one row
along the middle of the bed, leaving two yards dis-
tance betwixt the plants, allowing an alley between
the beds about a foot wide, for conveniency of weed-
ing the plants.
In the autumn, when the decayed leaves are re -
raovccl, if the shoveling of the alleys are thrown
QVCP the crowns of tho plant;?, it will bo found ot.
service.
-' 7 -i t, ARDEN I N'G BOTANY.
5. Cultivation of Turkey Rhubarb by Ojfacte.
Slip off several offsets from the heads of In;
plants : set them with a dibble about a foot apart,
in order to remove them into other beds, and in the
.'Muriiu they will be in a thriving state.
>536. Method of curing Rhubarb.
The plants may be taken up, cither early in the
spring or in autumn, when the leaves arc decayed,
in dry weather if possible ; when the roots are to be
cleared from dirt (without washing,) let them be
cut into pieces, and with a sharp knife freed from
the outer coat, and exposed to the sun and air for a
few days, to render the outside a little dry.
In order to accelerate the curing the largest
pieces, a hole may be scooped out with a penknife ;
these and the smaller parts are then to be strung on
packthread, and hung up in a warm room, where it
is to remain till perfectly dry. Each piece may be
.'id- red more sightly by a common file, fixing it in
a small vice during that operation ; afterwards rub
>ver it a very fine powder, which the *mall roots
furnish in beautiful perfection, for this and every
(her purpose whcic rhubarb is required.
An ea^irr .-.nd simpler method of drying rhubarb
is, after cutting the root into handsome pieces, to
wrap up each separately, in one or more pieces of
whitish-brown paprr. an 1 turn to place thorn on
the hob of a common Bath stove. Lemon and or-
ange peel dry beautifully in thi y.
537. Proper Soil fur t/ic Culture of Turniyt.
Sandy loams, in good heart, are most favourable
to their growth, though they will thrive w."ll on
strong loams, if they are not wrt ; but on clayey,
thin, or wet soils, they are not worth cultivating ;
for though a good crop may be raided on such
ground, \\hen well prepared and dunged, monv
CULTURE, &C. OF GARDEN CROPS. 275
Damage is done by taking off the turnips in winter,
in poaching the soil, than the value of the crop will
repay.
538. Preservation of Succulent Plants.
Green succulent plants are better preserved after
a momentary immersion in boiling water, than
otherwise. This practice has been successfully
used in the preservation of cabbage, and other
plants, dried for keeping ; it destroys the vegetable
life at once, and in a great degree prevents that de-
cay which otherwise attends them.
539. Various useful Properties of Tobacco to Gar-
deners.
Tobacco is employed for so many different uses,
that there is no person possessed of a garden, but
will find both pleasure and profit in the cultivation
of it, especially as it is now at such a high price.
1 he seed is very cheap, and may be procured of
most nurserymen, and will answer the same end as
ihe foreign for most purposes, and considerably
cheaper.
(The cultivation of tobacco, however, for eco-
nomical purposes, is prohibited in Great Britain
and Ireland.)
/
Uses to which it may be applied. 1. To Florists,
for two elegant annual plants to decorate the bor-
ders of the flower garden ; or, on account of their
height, to fill up vacant places in the shrubberies ;
or, when put into pots, they will be very ornamen-
tal in the green-house during the winter.
2. Kitchen-gardeners would in a few days lose
their crops of melons, if not immediately fumigated
with tobacco smoke, when attacked by the red spi-
der ; and it is useful to destroy the black flies OR
cucumbers in frames.
3. Fruit-gardeners. When peach and necta-
rine trees have their leaves curled up, and the shoots
?$ GARDENING liu i. \ XV.
covered \vith smother flies : or the cherry urr - ir
the ends of the shoots infested with the black dol*
uhin fly ; canvas, pack-sheets, or doubled mai*.
nailed before them, and frequently fumigated under
them, will destroy those insects.
4. Forcing-gardeners, \vho raise roses and kid-
ney-beans in stoves, can soon destroy the grees*
/lies which cover the stalks and buds of roses, and
the insects which appear like a mildow on kidn<
beans, by the assistance of the fumigating bellow...
5. Nurserymen. When the young shoots ofsfand-
ii'd cherry trees, or any oihcr tree*, are covered
iihthe black dolphin (lies, an infusion is made with
the leaves and stalks of tobacco ; a quantify is pur
into an earthen pan, or small oblong wooden trough :
one person holds this up, whilst another gently
bends the top of each tree, and lets the branches
remain about a minute in the liquor, which destroys
'.hem.
G. Graziers, when their sheep are infected with
.he scab, find relief from making a sheep-water with
an infusion of the leaves and stalks. Moles, when
only a few hi'ls are at first observed, may pr-'b-bly
be soon driven out of the ground, by fumigating
their holes.
7. Herb tobacco is aUo greatly improved by
having some of the leaves, when dried, cut with a
pair of scissars, and mixed with the herbs in any
quantity you may think proper, according to the
strength you require, and save you the expense of
buying tobacco.
The herbs generally used for this purpose are
coltsfoot and wood betony leaves : die leaves and
flowers of lavender, rosemary, thyme, and some oth-
ers of the like nature.
(Several receipts, applicable to Gardening, may
also be found under CHAP. I. SECT. vn. vm. and ix.
Sec albO Vermin, infra.)
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH.
CHAPTER XXVI,
HEALTH.
f The following Chapter will be found to contain s
receipts, which perhaps may appear to infringe on
the medical profession. It should however be un-
derstood^ that only such popular articles are here,
introduced, as may, in ordinary cases, afford help
or mitigation, until medical aid can be obtained ;
and also in such cases as require instantaneous as*
tistance.'j
SECT. I. GENERAL RULES FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH.
40. slzoid 1 , as much a? possible, living near Church
Yards D
The putrid emanations arising from church yards,
are very dangerous ; and parish churches, in which
many corpses are interred, become impregnated
with an air so corrupted, especially in spring, when
the ground begins to grow warm, that it is prudent
to avoid this evil as much as possible, as it may-
be, and, in some cases, has been, one of the chief
sources of putrid fevers which are so prevalent at
that season,
541. Valuable concise Riiles for preserving Health
in Winter.
Keep the feet from wet, and the head well defend-
ed when in bed ; avoid too plentiful meals ; drink
78 HEALTH.
moderately warm and generous, but not inflaming
liquors ; go not abroad without breakfast. Shun
the night air as you would the plague ; and let your
houses be kept from damps by warm fires. By ob-
serving these few and simple rules, better health
may be expected than from the use of the most pow-
erful medicines,
542. Cautions in visiting Sick Rooms.
Never venture into a sick room if you are in a
violent perspiration (if circumstances require your
continuance there for any time.) for the moment
your body becomes cold, it is in a state likely to ab-
sorb the infection, and give you the disease. Nor
visit a sick person (especially if the complaint be
of a contagious nature) with an empty stornarh ;
as this disposes the system more readily to reccivr
the contagion. In attending a sick person place
yourself where the air passes from the door or win-
dow to the bed of the diseased, not betwixt the dis-
eased person and any fire that is in the room, as
the heat of the fire will draw the infectious vapour
in that direction, and you would- run much danger
from breathing in it.
543. Preventive of autumnal Rheumatisms.
For the sake of bright and polished stoves, do
not, when the weather is cold, refrain from making
fires. There is' not a more useful document for
health to the inhabitants of this climate, than "Fol-
low your feelings."
544. To promote Sleep.
No fire, candle, rush-light, or lamp, should be
kept burning, during the night, in a bed-room, foi
it not only vitiates the air in a very considerable de-
gree, but also disturbs and prevents the rest of those
whose sleep is uneasy, particularly the aged, li*
. dark apartment, sleep generally comes on with-
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH, 279
out much invitation; whereas, any light in the a-
partment stimulates the brain, and consequently the
whole nervous system, and dispels any tendency
to repose.
545. The Use of Tar Water in expanding the. Lungs'
of Public Speakers, fyc.
It has Been found by the experience of many,
,n;tt drinking tar water very much deterges and
opens the lungs, and thereby gives a very sensibly
greater ease in speaking. A quart of tar is to be
stirred six minutes in a gallon of water ; but if there
be somewhat less tar it may do as well, especially
at first, to try how it sits on the stomach. Take
about one-fourth of a pint, at four several times, at
a due distance from meals. Begin taking it in the
spriner for about fourteen davs, and continue it foe
ft i i - ^
a greater length ot time, as occasion may require
546. German Method of preventing Hysterics.
Caraway seeds, finely pounded, with a small pro-
portion of ginger and salt, spread upon bread and
butter, and eaten every day, especially early in
the morning, and at night, before going to bed, are-
successfully used in Germany, as a domestic reme-
dy against hysterics.
547. Hints for ventilating Stage Coaches.
The plan is to have a hole perforated through the
centre of the rocf of the carriage, of three inches
diameter, with a tube or chimney, one or two inch-
es long, above the top of the same \ into which tube
a fine grating might be fixed, if necessary, to pre-
vent the outside passengers putting any thing
through. A slide might also be placed in a groove
within the carriage, to enable the inside passengers"
to close the tube at pleasure.
HEAL7IT.
548. Best Mode of avoiding the fatal Occidents of
Open Carriages.
Jumping out is particularly dangerous (the mo-
tion of the gig communicating a different one to the
one yon give yourself by jumping.) \vhich tends
very much to throw you on your side or head : ma-
ny suppose it very easy to jump a little forward,
nnd alight safe ; 'tis.supposition ; they will not find
it so on trial. The method of getting out behind the
carriage is the most safe of any, having often tried
it, when the horse has been going very fast. Per-
haps it is bcsLto fix yourself firm, and remain in the
carriage.
549. To fumigate Foul Rooms.
To one table-spoonful of common salt and a lit-
lie powdered manganese in a glass cup, add, four
or five different times, a quarter of a wine glass of
sfrong vitriolic acid. At every addition of ihe acid
the vapour will come in contact with the malignant
miasmata, and destroy them,
550. Tumake a truly valuable Fumigation Powder.
Nitre, four pounds ; sulphur, two pounds ; south-
ern wood and juniper-berries, of each three pounds \
tar nnd myrrh, a pound and a half. This was tried
at Moscow in 1772, and ten malefactors, under sen-
tence of death, were fumigated well with U is in the
Lazaretto, and were confined for three weeks in
this abode, saturated with infection, made to sleep
with persons infected with the plague, and even
dead of it, and not one were infected, or made ill
of the disease. The vapour arising from the de-
composition of nitre by the vitriolic acid is perfect-
ly harmless to be breathed, and may be employed
in every situation. This was used by Mr. M'Gre-
gor, after the plan of Dr. Carmichacl Smith, who
roht.es he lost, in ten weeks at Jersey, in putrid
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH. 281
lever, fifty men from the 88th regiment ; but begin-
ning the fumigation, not only the fever was banish-
ed the hospital, but thatit changed the nature of the
existing fever ; all the malignant symptoms disap-
peared, and of sixty soldiers ill of the fever not one'
died.
It is now ascertained that common muriatic gas ?
or still better, oxymuriatic gas, is the best for de-
stroying contagion, chiefly from superior expansi-
bility. Both are easily obtained ; place a glass,
porcelain, or salt-glazed earthenware vessel, in an
iron pot filled with hot sand. For muriatic gas
pour upon two parts of common salt (muriat of soda)
placed in the glass vessel, one and a half parts of
vitriolic acid (that is oil of vitriol ;) for the oxy-
genated muriatic, on a mixture of two parts of com-
mon salt, with one part of the black oxide of man-
ganese in powder, pour two parts of vitriolic acid^.
diluted with its weight of water. The muriatic gas
occasions no inconvenience, except rusting fire-iron
utensils, which may be previously removed. The
oxymuriatic should not be used where there is any
danger of its being inhaled, as it is poison when,
bre i-hed in any considerable quantity. Guyton
Morveau has invented an oxymuriatic fumigating
bottle, which will retain its power, if properly man-
aged, for years, It is quite certain that the com-
mon aromatic fumigating substances, sulphuric acid
and the firing of gunpowder, are ineffectual. That
the action of the sulphurous and acetous acid is
slow and incomplete, and that acetic acid, which
acts instantly and effectually on the feud air, cannot
be obtained, in sufficient quantity, and sufficiently
concentrated, except at an enormous expense.
551 . To make Balsamic and Anti-putrid Vinegar.
Take the best white wine vinegar, a handful of..
lavender leaves and flowers, the same quantity o.C
282 HEALTH.
sage leaves and flowers, hysop, thyme, balm", savo*
'v ; a good handful of salt, and two heads of gar-
ic ; infuse these in the vinegar a fortnight or throe
weeks; the longer the better; and then it is found
p be an excellent remedy for wounds.
SECT. IF. ON THE EYE.
2, General Rules for ihe Choice of Spectacles, cnc*
for the Preservation of the Sight.
[From Mr. Jldartvs Essay an Vision.']
The most general, and perhaps the best rule that
can be given, to those who are in (rant of assistant
from glasses, in order so to choose their spectacles.
that they may suit the state of their ryes, is to pre-
fer those which shew objects nearest their natural
stntc, neither enlarged nor diminished, the glasses
being near the eye, and that i:ivea blackness ni.il
distinctness to the book, neither strain-
ing the eye, nor causing any unnatural exer'ion of
the pupil. For no spectacles can be said to br pro-
perly accomodated to the eyes, which do not pro-
cure them ease and r>.>i ; if ihey fatigue the eyes,
we may safely conclude, either (hat we have no oc-
casion for them, or that they are ill made, or not
proportioned to our
Though, in the choice of spectacles, every one
BUBt finally determine for himself, which are t!
glasses through which he obtains th^ most distinct
vision ; yet some confidence should be plated in tlv^
judgment of the artist of whom they are purchased,
and some attention paid to his directions. By tr--
ing many spectacles, the eye is fatigued, as the pupil
varies in size with every different glass, and the
eye endeavours to accommodate itself to every
ON THE EYE. 283
change that is produced. Hence, the purchaser oft-
en fixes upon a pair of spectacles not the best a-
clapted to his sight, but those which seem to relieve
him most, while his eyes are in a forced and unna-
tural state, and, consequently, when he gets home,
and they are returned to their natural state, he find&i
what he has chosen fatiguing and injurious to his
sight.
553. Of Preservers, and Rules for the Preservation
of Sight.
Though it may be impossible to prevent the ab-
solute decay of sight, whether arising from- age,
partial disease, or illness, yet, by prudence and
good management, its natural failure may certainly
be retarded, and the general habits of the eyes
strengthened, which good purposes will be promot-
ed bv a proper attention to the following maxims :
1. Never to sit for any length of time in absolute
gloom, or exposed to-a blaze of light. The reasons
on which this rule is founded, prove the impropri-
ety of going hastily from one extreme to the other.,
whether of darkness or of light, and shew us that a
southern aspect is improper for those whose sight
is weak and tender.
2. To avoid reading small print.
3. Not to read in the dark; nor, if the eyes be
disordered, by candle-light. Happy those who learn
this lesson betimes, and begin to preserve their sight
before they are reminded by pain of the necessity
of sparing them. The frivolous attention to a quar-
ter of an hour in the evening, has cost numbers the
perfect and comfortable use of their eyes for many
years; the mischief is effected imperceptibly, the
consequences are inevitable.
4. The eye should not be permitted to dwell on
glaring objects, more particularly on first waking in
a morning 5 the sun should not 9 of coursej.be suffer-
584 HEALTH.
ed to shine in the room at that time, and a moderate
quantity of light only be admitted, ft is easy to sec
that, for the same reasons, the furniture of a bed
should be neither altogether of a white or red co-
lour ; indeed, those whose eyes are weak would
find considerable advantage in having green for the
furniture of their bed-chamber. Nature confirms the
propriety of the advice given in this rule; for the
light of the day comes on by slow degrees, and
green is the universal colour she presents to out-
eyes.
5. The long-sigbted should accustom themselves
to road with rather less light, and somewhat nearer
to the eye than what they naturally like, while those
that arc short-sighted should rather use themselves
to read with the book as far oiVas possible ; by this
means both would improve and strengthen their
iight; while a contrary course will increase its na-
lira I imperfections.
There is nothing which preserves the sight longer
:han always using, both in reading and writing, that
moderate decree of lieht which is best suited to the
eye; too little strains them, too great a quantity
/.zles and confounds them. The eyes are less
hurt by the want of light than by the excess of it ;
too little light never does any harm, unless they arc
., lined by elforls to see objects to which the de-
gree of light is inadequate : but too great a quanti-
ty has, by its own power, destroyed the sight. Thus
many have brought on themselves a cataract, by
quently looking at the sun. or a fire ; others Imve
lost their sight by being brought too suddenly from
an extreme of darkness into the blaze of the day.
How dangerous the looking on bright luminous ob-
jects is to the sight, is evident from its effects in those
countries which arc covered the greater part of the
year with snow, WIKTO blindness is exceedingly fre-
quent, and where tue' traveller is obliged to cov "
ON THE EYE.
his eyes with crape, to prevent the dangerous and
often sudden effects of too much litrht ; even the un-
tutored savage tries to avoid the danger, by framing
a little wooden case for his eyes, with only two nar-
row slits. A momentary gaze at the sun, will, fora
time, unfit the eyes for vision, and render them in-
sensible to impressions of a milder nature.
The following cases, from a small tract on the
Fabric of the Eye," are so applicable to the pre-
sent article, as to want no apology for their insertion
here, though, if any were necessary, the use they
will probably be of to those whose complaints arise
from the same or similar causes, would,. I. presume,
be more than sufficient.
" A lady from the country, coming to reside in
St. James' Square, was afflicted with a pain in her
eye, and a decay in her sight. She could not look
upon the stones, when the sun was upon them, .with*-
out great pain. This, which she thought was one of
the symptoms of her disorder, was the real cause
of it. Her eyes, which had been accustomed to the
verdure of the country and the green of the pasture
grounds before her house, could not bear the silent
and unnatural grare of light reflected from the
stones ; she was advised to place a number of small
orange trees in the windows, so that their tops might
hide the pavement, and be in a line with the grass.
She recovered, by this simple change in the light,
without the assistance of any medicine ; though her
eyes were before on the verge of little less than
blindness."
A gentleman of the law had his lodgings in Pall
Mall on the north side, his front windows were ex-
posed to the full noon sun. while the back room,
having no opening but into a small close yard, sur-
rounded with high walls, was very dark ; he wrote
in the backroom, and used to come from that into
the front room to breakfast, &c, Hjs sight grew
2o6 HEALTH.
weak, and he had a constant pain in the balls of hi^
eyes; he tried visual glasses, and spoke with ocu-
lists, equally in vain. Being soon convinced, th;;.
the coming suddenly out of a dusky study, into the
full blaze of sunshine, and (hat very often in thr
day, had been the real cause of his disorder, he
took new lodgings, by which, and forbearing to
write by candle-light, he was very soon cured.
Blindness, or, at least, miserable weakness of
sight, is often brought on by these un>uspectcd
causes. Those who have weak eyes should there-
fore be particularly attentive to such circumstances,
since prevention is easy, b'H the cure may be dilH-
cult and sometimes impracticable.
When the eye sensibly flattens, all delay i? dan-
gerous ; and the longer those, who feel the want of
assistance, defer the use of spectacles, the more
they will increase the failure of the eye ; there arc
too many who procrastinate the use of them, till at
last they are obliged to use glasses often or twelve
inches focus, instead of those thirty-six or forty,
which would otherwise have suited them ; thus pre-
ferring a real evil to avoid one that is imaginary*
Mr. Thomin mentions several deplorable cases of
this kind, particularly one of a lady, who through
false shame had abstained from wearing spectacles
f-o long a time, that at last it was impossible to suit
her, but with those adapted to eyes that have been
couched. Whereas the instances are numerous
of those who. by using glasses of a long focus at the
first approaches of long-sightedness, have brought
back their eyes to their natural sight, and been able
to lay aside their spectacles for years.
554. Comfort for those nearly Blind.
Inscriptions on dark blue-glazed paper, xvrittcn
with white ink, have been found very legible by
persons afflicted with bad eyes, who have had many
ANTIDOTES TO POISONS. 207
things written in a strong plain hand for that pur-
pose. The ink is made with gum water and flake
white, finely powdered ; it must be often shaken,
even whilst you are writing, as the flake white very
soon subsides. A common pen will do ver^ well for
the writing. A bright yellow, or dark green paper,
is likewise very easily read.
555. To cure a Bruist in the Eye.
Take conserve of red roses, and also a rotten ap-
ple, put them in a fold of thin cambric, apply it to
the eye, and it will draw the bruise out,
SECT. III. ANTIDOTES TO NOXIOUS SUB-
STANCES AND ANIMALS.
556. To prevent the Effects of Poison of Lead on
Painters, Glaziers, fyc.
The physicians and surgeons of the Bath Hospi-
tal have ordered the following cautions to be made
public, to be observed particularly by printers or
compositors, plumbers, glaziers, painters, and other
artificers.
To maintain the strictest temperance respecting
distilled spirits, which had better be altogether for-
borne. To pay the strictest attention to cleanliness ;
and never, when it can be avoided, to daub their
hands with paint, and particularly, or never, to eat
their meals, or go to rest, without washing their
hands and face. Not to eat or drink in the room or
place wherein they work, and much less to suffer any
food or drink to remain exposed to the fumes or dust
of the metal in the rooms or ware-houses. As the
clothes of persons in this line (painters particularly)
are generally observed to be much soiled with the
thej use ; it is recommended to them to per-
,;3 HEALTH,
form their work in frocks of ticking, which may be
frequently washed, and conveniently laid aside :
when the workmen go to their meals, and again put
on when they resume their work. Every business
which can, in these branches, should be performed
with gloves on the hands; and woollen or worsted
gloves are recommended, as they may be often
washed, as they should always be after being soil-
ed with paint, or even by much rubbing against the
rnctal. Caution is necessary in mixing, or even in
unpacking, the dry colours, that the fine powder
docs not get into their mouths, or be drawn in by
by their breath. A crape covering over the face
might be of service, but care should be taken to
turn always the same side towards the face, and to
clean or u i-!i i* frequently. All artificers should a-
void touching lead when hot; and this caution !-
especially necessary for printers or compositor*,
'Aho have often lost the u-.c of their limbs by hand-
ling the types when drying by t! :. \ after bf ing
\vashcd. Glazicis p Id never be made or
) d by the hand. v\n iron pestle and mortor
1 '! wori ^redientsto - , r, at least equal-
ly well, and without hazard.
,7. To prevent the baneful Rjfccis of burnt: ; :f-
coal.
tan uncovered vessel, filled with boiling w.-
over (he pan containing the charcoal, the- w.po'jr of
which will counteract the deleterious fum- i,
while it keeps boiling will make charcoal as r.^
as any other fuel.
6a8. To prevent the Mischief arising from the 1,
of a J\hd Dog.
Where the excision of the part bitton crm bo irr.
mediately performed, it is the b^st picvcni'vc
danger, or where the part can be burnt out b>
ANTIDOTES TO folSOXS* 289
Application of a red hot iron, little danger is likely
to happen. Nothing else is at all to be depended on.
559. To prevent Death from the bite of venemom
Animals.
From observations made by Dr. Bancroft, it is
found that in South America, where the most vene-
mous serpents abound, that a very tight ligature, in-
stantly made after the bite between the part bitten
and the trunk of the body, will prevent immediate
danger, and allow time for proper means of remedy,
cither by excision of the whole joint, just above the
ligature, or by topical applications upon the part
bitten.
For instance, if the bite should be upon the end
of the finger, a tight ligature of small cord should
Immediately be made beyond the next joint of the
finger.
If the bite is on any part of the hand, the ligature
should be made above the wrist by means of a gar-
ter or cord, lapped several times round the arm and
rendered as tight as possible by a small stick thrust
betwixt the folds of the cord or garter, and twisted
round very hard, to prevent the circulation of the
Mood betwixt the part bitten and the other part of
the body. Ligatures of the same kind, applied by
any one present, or the man himself, will frequent-
ly save a persons's life, where, by accident, an art-
ery in any of the limbs is wounded, and the person
would otherwise bleed to death before regular sur
gical assistance could be given.
560. To counteract the baneful Effects vf Poison,,
Whenever arsenic has been taken internally, by
design or mistake, the best medicine is sulphuret of
potash (liver of sulphur) dissolved in water. A few
scruples should be dissolved in half a pint or a pint
of water, and administered a little at a time, as the
patient can bear it.
z
290 HEALTH.
561. Cure for the Poison of the Deadly J\
Shade.
Give the patient an emetic as soon as possible,
then let him drink vinegar, or lemon juice, about a
pint, diluted in an equal quantity of water, in the
course of the day, and let him walk about to pre-
vent sleep, which would most certainly prove fatal.
SECT. IV. MANAGEMENT, &c. OF THE
TEETH.
G2. Method of causing Children to cut their Tcclh
easily.
Feed them with an ivory spoon and boat, to be
made thick, round, and smooth at the edges : ivory
being of the same hardness and texture as the jaws
and tender teeth, the gums arc not hurt or injured,
but when they are thus pressed facilitate the teeth
in their progress ; whereas the silver implement";,
"being of a hard texture, and the edges made thin,
bruise and wound the gums, and make a hard seam ;
so that the teeth cannot make their way direct, and
if they do cut, come irregularly; so that the opera-
tion of lancing is frequently absolutely necessary,
which of course must prejudice the teeth, as some
<rc exposed before the time they arc fit to cut.
By this method, fevers, convulsions, &c. owing to
ihe teeth being not able to find their way through
the hard seam, may be prevented. It must be often
observed, that children cry much when feeding, as if
ill, or disgusted with their food, whereas it is fre-
quently owing to quite the contrary: for being
hungry, and over eager to take their food, they
press hard through eagerness, on the boat and
~noon, which, being sharp, bruises and cuts the
MANAGEMENT OF THE TEETH. 29!
gums, and consequently causes great pain, which by
-.lie ivory implements will be prevented. Those who
cannot afford ivory may have horn or wood, or even
pewter is greatly preferable to silver, provided the
edges are made thick, round, and smooth. The wood-
en- sort, unless they are kept very sweet and clean,
on that very account, are the least eligible, and
should be made, however of box, or such hard and
close textured wood as is the least liable to be taint-
ed by the milky food,
563. Rides for the Preservation of the Teeth and
Gums.
The teeth are bones, thinly covered over with a
fine enamel, and this enamel is more or less substan-
tial in different persons. Whenever this enamel is
worn through by too coarse a powder, or too fre-
quent cleaning the teeth, or eaten through by a
scorbutic humour in the gums, the tooth cannot re-
main long sound, any more than a filbert kernel
can, when it has been penetrated by a worm.
The teeth, therefore, are to be cleaned, but with
great precaution, for if you wear the enamel oft'
iaster by cleaning the outside than nature supplies
it within, your teeth will suffer more by this method
than perhaps by a total neglect. A butcher's skew-
er, or the wood with which they are made, must be
bruised and bit at the end, till with a little use it will
become the softest and best brush for this purpose,
and in general you must clean your teeth with this
brush alone, without any powder whatever; and
once in a fortnight, or oftener, dip your skewer-
brui-h into a few grains of gunpowder, breaking
them first with the brush, and thrs will remove eve-
ry spot and blemish, and give your teeth an incon-
ceivable whiteness. It is almost needless to say
that the mouth must be well washed after this ope-
ration, for, besides the necessity of so doing, the
C'92' HEALTH.
saltpetre, &c. used in the composition of g,.
der, would, if it remains, be injurious to the gums,
&c. but has not, nor can have. any bad eflcct in so
short a time.
It is necessary to observe, that, very near th<.
gums of people, whose teeth arc otherwise good,
there is apt to grow a false kind of enamel, both
.vilhin and without, arid this false enamel or tartar,
if neglected, pushes the gums higher and higher, till
it. leaves the fangs of the teeth quite bare, above the
true enamel, so that sound teeth are destroyed, be-
cause the gum has forsaken that part? which is not
ihcadied and protected in consequence of such ne-
glect. This false enamel must therefore be careful-
ly sailed oil', for the gum will no more grow over the
least paiti:le of this false enamel, than the flesh will
heal over the point of a thorn.
GC'l. To prevent the Tooth-J$ch
Clean the teeth well and regularly.
."-05. Ea?y, snfe, and pleasant J\ldhod ofrtmovii
Tartar from the Teeth.
Raspberries or strawberries (particularly the lat-
ter) frequently eaten, have been found, by expcri-
>ce, to (! i -solve the tartarcus concretions of the
teeth; and Lai -erled, that in his own case,
v rompli.lcly cured t!ier_;oi!t; viz. the strawb;
. y co ten plentifully.
/GG. Tincture f-jr the Teeth and Gum .
Mix :-i.\ ounces of tincture of Peruvian bark \\ilU
'l^alf an ounce of sal-ammoniac. Sh.ikc them well a
few minutes, every time, before ihc tincture is used.
The method of using it is, to take a tea-spoonful
and hold it near ihe teeth; then, with a linger dip-
ped in, rubbing the gums and teeth, which arc
crward, to be wasi-.-.i with warm water. This tii:-.
u:re not only cures the tooth-ache, but prefer 1
REMEDIES FOR LOCAL AFFECTIONS. 293 '
*
both the teeth and gums, and makes them adhere to '
each oilier.
567.,- Tooth Powder.
To one "ounce of fine powder of bark, and one
ounce of gum myrrh, add three fourths of an ounce
of bole armenic, mix these ingredients well toge-
ther, and they will produce an excellent tooth pow-
der, valuable in itself, and highly approved of bv
/ CJ w 4, 1
many gentlemen of the faculty
*>G8. Another.
Pound charcoal, as fine as possible, in a mortar^-*
or grind it in a mill, then well sift it, and apply a
lillle of it to the teeth about twice a week, and it
will not only render them beautifully white, but will
s lso make the breath sweet, and the gums firm and
comfortable*
If the charcoal is ground in a mortar, it is conve^
lientto grind it in water, to prevent the dust from
Hying about. Indeed the powder is more convenient.
for use when kept in water.
SECT. "V. REMEDIES FOR VARIOUS LO
CAL AFFECTIONS.
569. Easy and almost instantaneous Cure for tht
Ague.
When the fit is on, take a new-laid egg, in a glass
of brandy, and go to bed immediately.
This very simple recipe has cured a great many
after more celebrated preparations have proved un-
successful.
570. J\L Ho?nassePs Account of his Cure for Burns
or Scalds.
Take half a pound of alum in powder, dissolve it
Z2
HEALTH.
in a quart oi water; bathe the burn or scald with
a linen rag wet in this mixture ; then bind the wet.
rag thereon with a slip of linen, and moisten the
bandage with the alum water frequently, without
removing it, in the course of two or three days. He
relates, that one of his workmen who fell into a,
copper of boiling liquor where he remained three
minutes before taken out. was immediately put into
a tub containing a saturated solution of alum in wa-
ter, where he was kept two hours ; his sores were
then dressed with cloths and bandages, wet in the
above mixture, and kept constantly moistened for
:wenty-ibur hours, and that in a few days he was
able to return to business.
??1. Remedy for Burns.
A little spirit of turpentine, applied to recent
burns, will mitigate the pain, if not wholJy remove
...
57-2. .Inothcr.
A little sweet oil and lime water, shaken toge-
ther, makes a liniment, which, when kept applied
to the part, will remove the pain.
c>73. Efficacy of Vinegar in curing Burns and
Scalds.
The application of vinegar to burns and scalds is
to be strongly recommended. It possesses active
powers, and is a great antisceptic and corrector of
putrescence and mortification. The progressive
ic ndency of burns of the unfavourable kind, or ill-
treated, is to putrescence and mortification. Where
the outward skin is not broken, it may be freely us-
ed every hour or two ; where the skin is broken,
and if it gives pain, it must be gently used. But
equal parts of vinegar and water, in a tepid state,
used freely every three or four hour?; are generally
D FOR. LOCAL- AFFECTIONS.
'.he best application, and the best rule to be direct-
ed by.
House-leek, either applied by itseif, or mixed
with cream, gives present relief in burns, and other
external inflammation.
574. Porter Plaster for Bruises'.
This simple, singular, and safe remedy for bruises-
is nothing more than a gallon of porter simmered Ju-
an earthen vessel, till, when coo!, it will, be of the
consistence of a plaster, This preparation was
spread on an old glove, and applied round the ancle
of a coachman, who was thrown off his box, and
miserably bruised. In three days it so effectually
performed a cure, that coachee was enabled to re-
mount his box, perfectly relieved from all swelling
and pain.
-575. Easy Method of attracting Earwigs from the
Ear.
A person lately having an earwig crept into his
ear. and knowing the peculiar fondness that insect
has to apples, immediately applied a piece of apple
to the ear, which enticed the creature out, and there-
by prevented the alarming consequences which
might otherwise have ensued.
376. To kill Earwigs, or other Insects, which may ac-
cidentally hav.e crept into the Ear.
Let the person under this distressing circumstance
lay his head upon a table, the side upwards, that is
afflicted ; at the same time let some friend carefully
ch'op into the ear a little sweet oil, or oil of almonds,
A drop or two will be sufficient, which will instant-
ly destroy the insect, and remove the pain, however
violent.
'
577. For a Pain in the Ear.
Oil of sweet almonds two drams, and oil of ambci
Q96 HEALTH.
four drops ; apply four drops of tins mixture, when
in pain, to the part affected.
70. Remedy for Deafness-.
Put a table-spoonful of bay salt into near half a
pint of cold spring water, and after it has steeped
therein twenty-four hours, (now and then shaking
the phial), cause a small tea-spoonful of the same to
be poured into the car most affected, every night
when in bed, for seven or eight nights successively,
observing to lay your head on the opposite side, by
which the cure is generally completed.
'.TO. For Chilblains.
Soak them in warm bran and water, then r
:hern well with mustard-seed flower; but it will L-
Better if they are done before they break.
530. To prevent Corn from grouting on the. ft-
Kasy shoes ; frequently bathing the feet in luke-
warm water, with a little salt or pot-ashes dissolved
n it.
The corn itself will be completely destroyed by
rubbing it daily vviih a little caustic solution of pot-
- -, till a soft and flexible skin is formed.
581. Cure for H'trls.
The milky juice ot the stalks of spurge, or of the
common fig leave, by j;."r c v:vering application, will,
to a certainly, soon re- move them. .
J02. Court Plaster.
J';ikc of isi-nglass. half an ounce ; Turlington's
(or Friar's) balsam, a dr.iehm ; melt the isinglass in
an ounce of water, and boil the solution till a great
part of the water is consumed ; then add gradually
to it the balsam, stirring them well together. After
the mixture has continued a short time on the fire,
take the vessel oft, and spread the extended silk
REMEDIES JF R LO C A I, A F F E c 1 1 N'a , 297
;viai ii, \vhile it is yet fluid with heat, using a brush
/or spreading it.
583. Certain Cure for the Cramp.
An otTcciiial preventive for the cramp in the cah\
- the legs, which is a most grievous pain, is to
stretchout the heel of the leg as far as possible, a
the same time drawing up the toes towards the bo-
dy. This will frequently stop a fit of the cramp
after it has commenced ; and a person will, after a
few times, be able, in general, to prevent the fit
coming on. though its approach be between sleep-
ing and waking. Persons subject to this complain:;
should have a board fixed at the bottom of the bed,
against which the foot should be pressed when the
pain commences.
584, Simple Remedy for the Cure of Lameness by
Contraction. From the Gentleman's Magazine,
July, 1809.
" Many years ago, while I lived at Yeovil, in
Somersetshire, my adv'ice as a surgeon was desired
for a poor man's child, a boy about nine years old,
one of whose legs was contracted more than when
a person is sitting in a chair ; he could neither stretch
it out, nor move it. I prescribed a relaxing lini-
ment, of which currier's oil was one chief ingredi-
ent ; and ordered the parts affected to be gently.
rubbed ; but it was of no great service. I then con-
sidered what farther might be done for his relief:
and it came into my mind that the glovers of the
town brought their kid-skins, which were dry, stiff,
and hard, to be soft and supple as gloves, by rub-
bing them with a liquor made of the yolks of eggs
and water; hereupon I ordered the contracted parts
of his leg to be gently rubbed two or three times a
day with the egg liquor, and by this means he soon
recovered the perfect use of his leg. The liquor I
advise to be thus made : take the volk of a new
HEALTH.
laid egg, let ii be beaten with a spoon to ihegix
rst thinness, then, by a spoonful at a time, add
v i
three ounces of pure \vater, agitating the mixture;
'hat the egg and water may be well incorporated,
and let it be applied by gentle friction.
" This remedy 1 have since advised in like ca-
. ; h the like happy success ; and others to whom f
have communicated it have found the same advan-
tage in similar cases. I therefore, for the good ol
'hose afllieted with lameness by contraction, trans-
mit the above."
Rcma.-L. Friction is well known to V.c useful in
such cases ; and whether the cure is performed by
the egg, or the friction, is of no moment.
58?. To make Clii'cr, or Goose-gnus Ointment ;
remarkable for its salutary Effects in Cases of hi'
i derate Scurvy.
To a pound of hog-s-lard melted, without spice
or salt, put as murh clivers as the lard will moisten,
and boil them together over a slow fire ; after stir-
ring it till it becomes a little brown, strain it through
a cloth ; and when cold take the ointment from the
water that will remain at the bottom, and it will 1. -
fit for use.
586. Easy Method of curing the Sea Scurcy.
The root of the garden carrot abounds in a nu-
tritious saccharine juice, and is slightly aromatic.
These arc desirable properties against the scurvy.
To experience the good effects of these properties,
the roots must be eaten ran'. There is nothing un-
O
pleasant in this ; on the contrary, it i.-> what the
common people often do by choice. These roots
would keep well during the longest voyage, packed
up in casks, having tin: interstices fill* d with sand.
Kach sailor might be allowed to eat one root every
cl;'.y, or every other day, according to the state of
ir health, and the quantity of roots on board.
REMEDIES FOR LOCAL AFFECTIONS. 29$
Io7. Method for the speedy Recovery of the Use of
the Foot or Hand that has been violently sprained.
It may lead to a right management of the part
strained, if xve consider the effects of a strain when
it is very great.
First. Such an extension of the tendons and ves-
sels of the muscles strained, that they cannot con-
tract themselves to their natural lengths.
Second. That the great elongation of the vessels 5
which deprives them of their contractile power, les-
sens the diameter of their cavities, obstructs the
free course of the fluids through them, makes them
swell and become painful, and incapable of their
actual service, or of being moved by the acts of the
will, or before the accident happened.
These effects of violent sprains may lead us to
conclude that the best remedies are those applica-
tions which may best attenuate their obstructed
fluids, recover an easy circulation of them, and suf-
ficiently contract the elongated vessels.
For these purposes I advise vinegar, the rectified
spirits of wine, such as are burnt in lamps, friction,
and motion, in the following manner, viz.
Suppose the ancle sprained.
First, Let it be fomented with vinegar, a little
warm, for four or five minutes at a time, once every
four hours ; this will render the circulation of the
fluids in the parts affected more easy, and either
prevent its swelling or promote its subsiding.
Second. Let the person stand three or four min-
utes at a time on both his feet in their natural pos-
ture, and sometimes move the sprained foot, and
sometimes when sitting with his foot on a low stool
let hirn move it this way and that, as he can bear
it : this will contribute much to contract the over-
stretched vessels, and to recover a due circulation
of their fluids through them.
Third. Let a gentle dry friction with a warm
300
iiand be sometimes used to the parts MK-dcu, v.nich
will conduce much to the same ends.
T\vo hours after every application of vinegar, let
the parts affected be just wetted with rectified spirits
of wine, and gently rubbed.
O */
By these means, persons to whom I have advised
:?m have recovered from the effects of very violent
sprains in a few days, when others have been weeks
: recovering, where different ways of management,
ich as continual resting of the strained foot, and
suse of its motions, &c. had been recommended.
. To alleviate the Pain occasioned ''?/ the Stint*
r< J
Ornate,
The disagreeable itching occasioned by the sting
_hcsc insects may be removed by volatile alkali,
immediately rubbing and washing the part af-
"ied with cold water.
night, to rub with fuller's earth and water les-
is the inflammation.
. Simple and effectual Cure for those toko i
accidentally haw swallowed a Wasp.
Instantly, on the alarming accident taking place,
put a tea-spoonful of common salt in your mouth,
which will instantaneously not only kill the wasp,
hut at the same time heal the sting.
590. To cure the Sting of a IVasp or Bee.
To the part aiVfotoc], apply oil of tartar, or sola-
iion of potash, and it will give instant ea^e ; as also
well bruised mallows.
Sweet oil, applied immediately, cures the
of wasps or beer,; and if the sting is left in t!
wound, it should, if possible, be extracted w ;
hair pincers.
REMEDIES FOR LOCAL AFFECTIONS, 30"
592. Another.
The immediate application of Eau du Luce
many persons who have been stung by wasps, has
caused the pain to subside in a few seconds, and
after a few minutes all inflammation ceased.
503. To cure the, Sting of a Wasp or Bee.
It has been found, by experience, that a good
remedy for the sting of wasps and . bees, is to apply
1o the part affected common culinary salt, moisten-
ed with a little water. Even in a case where the
patient had incautiously swallowed a wasp in a
draught of beer, and been stung by it in the wind-
pipe, the alarming symptoms that ensued were al-
most instantly relieved by swallowing repeated
doses of water, saturated with salt. The rubbing
of the part stung, with a slice of onion, will give
immediate ease,
594. To present Sea Sickness* .
Drop a few drops of vitriolic aether upon loaf su-
gar, and let it dissolve in your mouth ; or drink a
few drops of cether, added to a solution of sugar, in
water, to prevent its immediate evaporation.
595. Remedy Jar a Sore Throat.
Take -rosemary tops, about a handful, put them
into a basorij and pour a pint X)f boiling hot ver-
juice upon it; then cover it ov-er with a tin funnel,
the broad side downwards, and the steam will come
through the nozzle of the funnel ; then hold your
mouth over the steam till it is gone down your
throat.
N. B. Be very careful that you do not put your
mouth too close to the funnel, as it may scald it,
Outlet the steam go down your throat as much as
possible, and repeat it as often as necessary.
A A
30- HEALTH.
596. A ion Drink for a So
Take two ounces of^Turkey ik-. and the
quantity of raisins of the sun, and cut thoin small .
\vo ounces of French or pearl barley, boiled if
three pints of spring water till it comes to a quan.
ind then strain through a sieve. To be tak
warm. Boil it slowly over a gentle fire.
,97. Gargle for a Sor<- Throat.
Take half a pound of Turkey figs, put them into
.t quart of spring water, and let them simmer over a
slow fire till better than one-half is wasted ; in the
mean time, take a large lemon, cut it in slices, and
between every slice put some brown sugar-candy,
and let it stand before the fire to roast ; then strain
the figs, and squeeze them through a coarse cloth,
ind put the juice of the lemon into it.
JN T . 13. Gargle the throat wi;h it warm, and the of-
tener the better.
598. .7 y' '-'.'fitfor a
Take a glass of spring water and put infoi
spoonful of the syrup ofhorehound, and mix with
it nine or ten drops of the spirit, of sulphur.
599. An i nt Slyjjtit..
The outside woof of silk-worms has been tried
with great success by several people, more espe-
cially by a lady, who, in mending a pen, cut her
thumb to the bone, and through part of the nail ; it
bled profusely ; but, by trying this styptic, and bind-
ing up the wound, the hemorrhage stopped, and the
wound healed in three days.
GOO. A nciu and useful Styptic.
Take brandy, or common spirit, two ounces >
Castile soap two drachms, pot-ash one drachm
scrape the soap fine, and dissolve it in the brandy ,
then add the pot-ash, and mix it well together, a:
E-MEDIES FOii ICK'AL AFFECTIONS. 303
.op. it close stopped from the air in a vial. When
you apply it, warm it in a vessel, or dip pledges of
jint into it, and the blood will immediately congeal.
It operates by coagulating the blood, both a con-
siderable way within the vessels, as well as the cx-
ir.r/asated blood without, and restraining, at the
s;,.:nc time, the mouth of the vessels.
It forms a valuable embrocation, in cases of tu-
mors, or swellings from bruises, by being frequent
ly rubbed on the part. It is also used in a similar
manner for rheumatic pains.
G01, Infallible Remedy for stopping Bleeding oftks
JVbse.
One ounce of sugar of lead, and half an ounce of
^rcen vitriol, to be triturated in a glass mortar ; add
to these half a pint cf spirits of wine Of this com-
position, young people, from ten to twelve year! 94
age, are to take ten or twelve drops ; patients under
twenty years, fourteen or fifteen drops, and grown per-
sons, twenty drops, four times each, in a spoonful
of wine or brandy. Some very interesting trials, in
the most obstinate cases, have been made with this
mixture, with the greatest success.
Remark. -No saft of lead should be taken Inter-
nally without medical advice. It is a power,
drug; that is, if the proper precautions or propor-
tions are neglected or exceeded, it is a strong poi-
son. The gr?cn vitriol can have no other effect
than to decompose part of the sugar or aceti'.'-
of lead "; that is, to convert the acetite, in part, into
sulphat of lead, which is insoluble; and nearly all
ha green vitriol, or sulphat of iron, into acetite of
iron.
602. For cur Ins Worms in the Human Bod-./.
O tj
Take senna leaves, well bruised, half a pour
jlivQ oij, twelve ounces ; digested together in a sand
HEALTH.
heat four or five Jays : then, by a strong expression
force the oil from the faeces, which reserve by itself.
N. B. In the most obstinate worm cnse, which
eludes the force of mercurials, and bafMcs the el
forts of the most famous specifics, this successfully
kilU worms, grubs and ascarids (which last kind
cause extreme itching. ^ and by stools expel them.
Dose : one spoonful, fasting, and persevere in it.
603. To make an Improved Timturc nf Bark.
Red bark grossly powdered, one ounce ; of snake
root, in powder, six drachms ; safTron, one drachm
and a half ; cochineal, ten grains; orange peel, one
ounce and a half. Steep the above articles in one
pint of the best brandy, and you will have a tinc-
ture equally good as the famous Dr. Huxham's.
COJ. Observations on Leeches, and thrir Use.
+ The general demand for these useful reptiles, and
the high price at which they arc now sold, induces
us to give some particulars on taking, preserving,
Mid applying them, from a person who has attend-
ed fn this business.
The large brown Icrch is the only kind in use ,
they are in general from two inches to six, thoi 1 .
they are capable of much greater ex tension and con-
traction sometimes they are seen darling through
the water with prr;;' swiftness, at which time they
'..re very long, at other times they will con'rvt t'"
-'lyes ir,;o a form : I roiiud. " , r-.rc much
rounder in body than the hor-^ leech (which,
contrary to common report, will not fasten to tin,
human body.) wi'Ji a degree of taper to wards each
end. r l he colour is black, and brown stripes on
their backs ; the belly is covered vviih dark brown,
interspersed with light brown spots. The method
of catching them usually employed in England, is
agitating the waters where they are contained, which
occasions them to float upon the surface thereof,
OBSERVATIONS ON LEECHES. 305
when, with a net made for the purpose, they are se-
cured. Other methods are employed, which would
be tedious and unnecessary to relate. They are
viviparous, bringing forth their young with all their
power, capable of acting in every respect in which
this animal is distinguished. The time of fecundi-
ty is in the months of April and May, the latter end
of August and September; the number of young
ones a single leech brings forth in one year can
O - J y
hardly be ascertained, though it is very numerous ;
for when the leech catchers rob a pond of all large
enough for use, if nothing happens to obstruct fe-
cundation, in two years afterwards they will find it
largely stored with abundance of fine leeches, and
a much increased number of small one? ; this is
particularly found to be the case, from the method
which some country people have adopted to obtain
leeches as an- exclusive property. In order to this,
they make a pond, near their house, about three
feet deep, twenty wide, and thirty long; if they
cannot conveniently form one with a sandy bottom,
they make the pond a little deeper, in which they
deposit a few loads of sandy earth. In this pond,
when filled with water, they put their leeches about
April, and without any further trouble or expense,
they obtain, at the proper season, a large supply
of leeches..
Leeches may, with care, be preserved healthy
and good for years in pans : during the summer
season not more than two hundred should be kept to-
gether ; in winter, double that number may with
equal propriety. The vessel they are kept in should
be an earthen pan, that will contain about three
gallons of water, which should not be more than
half filled with water; for I have found, by experi-
ence, that it is congenial to their nature to have a
place out of the water, which they may retreat to
at pleasure ; this is proved by their often hanging-
A A 2
306 MtALTii.
in clusters round the top of the pan. From May
till September their water should be changed, at
least, every other day ; in winter every fourth day.
The best water to keep them in is spring water, ns
being least disposed to putresecncy. 1 have of Kite
put a little moss amongst leeches, which practice I
would recommend, for they are very much enamour-
ed with it, perhaps from its resembling, in some
measure, their native weeds ; they creep through
it, and by that means clear themselves of slime,
which in the warm weather accumulates around
them, and, unless removed by timely changes of
water, will be productive of disease. During hot
weather they should be kept in as cool a place as
possible, and in the winter season place them when*
'he water may preserve thai degree of warmth it
possesses in summer. V'hcn you put fresh water
1.0 them, during the cold weather, it should be de-
prived of that intense coldness which it posses:-
a that season of the year, by warming it in tht
smallest degree. The leech, as has been befoie
said, feeds upon insects in its native waters, but
may be, ,as above hinted, kept in water only for
years, though they dwindle by keeping ; they re-
main healthy, and will take with as much avidity as
those recently taken from the water?, provided
they are well attended to, with ro. c pect to changing
their water agreeably to the rules laid down.
The mode which 1 have found, by copious expe-
rience, to be infinitely the best (being attended
with quickness, certainty, and efficacy,)' is as fol-
lows : Let the part be first carefully washed clean
with warm rniik and water ; if very dirty and re-
quires it, a little soap may also be used ; when the
part is thus washed and wiped dry, rub over the
part a little milk, then see that your leech is wiped
dry with a smooth cloth, which being done, take it
with your fingers by the middle, and apply its
\S O.N ^EECHL*.
nioulh to the very spot you wish : you will, per-
haps. find it, at iirst, twist and extend itselfin your
fingers, and then wish to attach itself to some con-
trary part ; but as repeatedly as it extends itself
around', or attempts to fix upon, a wrong situation,
you must as repeatedly draw it back and re-apply
it to the proper part ; by so doing you will find it
win presently seize the precise spot wished for ;
when you find this you must not hastily let the leech
go, for they will sometimes seem to seize the part
with great avidity.,, and in a fe\v seconds let go their
hold; but when you are convinced the leech has
good hold, you may then let go. and leave it to the
employment it enjoys.
I here find it necessary to remark, that the small
end of the leech is the head, whereas I have repeat-
edly observed, that the greater part of the people,
from the tail of the leech being much broader than
the head, mistake the one for the other, and there-
by occasion themselves a great deal of fruitless la-
bour. When the animal has fastened himself ho
generally expands the tail, and sometimes- attaches
it very firmly to another part of the skin, but with-
out the least pain to the part ; this hold, 1 have ob-
served, the leech does not quit till it is charged
with blood, and then drops olf all at once.
I would here observe, that the quantity of blood
the leech imbibes, is in general insufficient to - an-
swer the purpose : therefore, when the leech comes
off, it is necessary to have a bason of warm water,
and a spunge or rag, to keep bathing the orifice, in
order to encourage the bleeding for an hour or two ;
if the orifice seem disposed to bleed any longer than
wished for, apply a piece of lint, three or four times
double, and bandage it up.
605. Singularly useful Properties of Garlic,
The smell of garlic, which is formidable to many
INK
ladies, is, perhaps, the most infallible remedy in tl.
world against the vapours, and all the nervous dis-
orders to which women arc subject. Of this (says
St. Pierre) I have had repeated experience.
GOG. The Usefulness of two common Plants.
Every plant in the corn-field possesses virtues
particularly adapted to the maladies incident to the
condition of the labouring man. The poppey cures
the plcuri- r ocurcs sleep, stops haemorrhages,
and spitting of blood. Poppy seeds form an emul-
sion similar to that from almonds in every respect
v. hen prepared in the same manner. They also
yield, by expression, fine salad oil, like that from
Florence. c blue bottle Tc:ic, vulnerary,
cordial, and cooling: an antidote to the stings of
vnouioijs . ects, '-.fid a remedy for inflaitKnatioa
of the cy
CHAPTER XXVII,
LVX.
507. ' 'niak'' Ink.
To three quarts of water add three pints of white
;e vinegar; fifteen ounces of blue galls slightry
'l.ruiscc! : let these stand near a fr:e six days ; then
put in six ounces of green copperas, and seven
ounces of gum arable finely pounded ; permit the
Thole to remain near a fire six days more, and be
frequently stirred up ; strain the liquor through a
fine cloth, and bottle it up for use.
Remark. The vinegar improves the colour of the
ink, but it has the troublesome effect of destroy-
INK,
ing the pen very quickly. Pronet'scys, the best ink
is made by digesting the infusion of galls in pnra
water, upon iron. That process certainly makes a
very good ink. The proper proportion of gum is of
course added.
603. T;> make One Gall en of Black Writing Ink.
Into a glazed stone jar or pitcher put one pound
of Aleppo galls, slightly braised ; then add one gal-
lon of rain water, nearly of a boiling heat ; let these
stand together for fourteen days upon the kitchen
hearth, or moderately warm; after that time add
four ounces of green copperas or sulphate of iron,
four ounces of logwood chips or shavings, one ounce
of alum, one ounce of sugar-candy, and four ounces
of gum arabic or senega}. Let the whole remain
ten or twelve days longer in a moderate heat, the
mouth of the vessel slightly covered with paper*
Stir the ingredients well with a stick twice a day
during tlxe whole time ; then strain off the ink
through lmen or flannel, bottle it, pour a little
brandy on the top of the ink in each bottle, then cork
them well, and keep them for use in a place of tem-
perate heat.
This ink may bo depended upon as excellent,
durable, and preserving the writing all a deep
black.
N. B. The best galls for the purpose are those
which are dark coloured, heavy, and free from grub-
holes.
609, Red Ink.
Take a quarter of a pound of the best Brazil
wood, (get it in the log if possible, and rasp or shave
it yourself) one ounce of cream of tartar, and one
ounce of alum ; boil these ingredients in a quart of
clear water till half is consumed, then add to the
ink, when filtered hot, one ounce <">f snrn arable an<i
-one ounce of fine
\ Hide salt added will prevent n iiur,
mould.
GIO. To jji'ii-t.nt Ink from ,:iov:dii
Hall' a dozen cloves, braised with gum arable. :
'o be put into the bottle. If a very fine ink is want-
d. white wine, or vinegar and water, should be us-
ed instead of water alone.
1. To make InJis:n //>
Put six lighted wicks into a dish of oil; hiin^ an-
. : i'on or tin concave cover over it so as to receive all
n smoke ; when there is a sufficient quantity ot
soot settled to the cover, then take it of]' gently with
a feather upon a sheet of paper, and mix it up with
gum tragacanth to a proper consistence.
.X. B. The clearest oil makes the finest soot, con-
sequently the best ink.
G1C. To make China L
Take dried black horse-beans, burn them to a
powder, inix them up with gum arabic water, and
bring them to a mass ; press it well and let it dry.
Gl 5, Substitute for Indian Ink,
l>oi? parchment slips, or cuttings of glove leather,
water, till it forms a size, which, when cool, be-
comes of the consistence of jelly ; then, having
blackened an f rirthen plate, by holding it over t.
flame of a candle, mix up, with a camel hair pen-
cil, the fine lamp-black thus obtained, with so
the abnyr ^i/;c. while t!u- plate i> still warm. Tli.
black requires no grinding, and produce an ink of
very colour, \viiic-h \vorks as y with thf;
:irii. ar.f] is as perfectly transparent as the best
Indian ink; it possesses the advantage of furnish-
ing artists with a substitute for that article, which
may be prepared m situations -whfT i'
:lt to ch'nin the ink itself.
IXK. 311
14. German Black for Printers.
Take the lees of port wine, dry and burn them 5
add thereto good ivory black, the stones of cher-
ries, plums, or other stone fruit, burnt in close ves-
sels, and fine soft charcoal made from burnt wil-
low ; grind the whole well together into one mass,
from which the best printing ink may be formed.
615. Permanent Writing Ink.
As common writing ink is susceptible of being
effaced by oxygenated muriatic acid, and as the
knowledge of this fact may be abused to very frau-
dulent purposes, the following composition for inks,
absolutely indestructible, is recommended to the
notice of the curious.
Boil one ounce of Brazil wood, and three ounces
of nut-galls, in 46 ounces of water, till they shall
be reduced to thirty ounces in all. Pour this decoc-
tion, while it is yet hot, upon halt an ounce of sul-
phate of iron, or martial vitriol, a quarter of an
ounce of gum arabic, and a quarter of an ounce of
;vhite sugar. After these substances are dissolved,
add to the solution one ounce and a quarter of indi-
go, finely pulverized with three quarters of an ounce
of lamp-black, very pure, of smoke black, previ-
ously diluted in one ounce of the best brandy.
The following receipt is still more simple: Boi!
one ounce of Brazil wood with, twelve ounces of wa-
ter, and half an ounce of alum ; continue the ebulli-
tion till the liquid mixture shall have been reduced
to eight ounces; then add an ounce of the black
.oxide of manganese, which has been reduced by
decantation to extreme fineness, and, in mixture
with it, half an ounce of gum arabic.
Remark. The chief advantage of this ink (said
to be proposed by Schever) is, that it is in part a
printer's ink : the black oxide of manganese, and
the lamp-black, not being affected by acids, and
12 I::K
the indigo in powder but slightly, so tixit they must
be effaced by rubbing or washing oil', and not by
solution. The ink, however, is not absolutes/ indes-
tructible, nor equal to the common indelible ink,
which may be used on paper, as well as silk, linen,
and cotton cloths,
6 1C. Permanent Red Ink for marking Lhicn,
This useful preparation, which was contrived by
'he Lite learned and ingenious Dr. Smellie. of Ed-
clinburgh, who was originally a printer in that city,
may be used either with types, a hair pencil, or
even wjth a pen. Take half an ounce of vermilion,
and a dram of salt of steel ; let them be finely levi-
gated with linseed oil. to the thickness or limpidity
requin d for the occasion. This has not only a very
good appearance ; but \\ill, it is said, be found per-
f< :tly to resist the effects of acids, as well as of all
alkaline I- vs. It may be made of other colours, "t>y
substituting the .proper articles ii;^ead of vermil-
ion.
017. To make Symj tic, or Invisible Ink*
Let quick-lime be quenched in common water
and while quenching let .some red orpiment be add-
ed to it, (thi^, however, ought to be done by placing
warm ashes undor it for a whok cl^y;, and let the
liquor be filtered and preserved in a glass bottle
well corked. Then boil litharge of gold, well pound-
ed, for half an hour, with vinegar, in a brass vessel,
and lilicr the whole through pajuT, and preserve it
also in a bottle closely corked. If you write any
thing with this last water, with a clean pen, the
writing will be invisible when dry ; but if it be
washed over with the first water, it will become in-
stantly black. And it is wonderful, that though
sheets of paper without number, inc! even a board,
olaced bc'wc-.'n the invisible wr: irg in i !> c se
rAIIVTI-NGS. 31o
xnd liquid, it will have the same effect, and turn
the writing black, penetrating the wood and paper,
without leaving any traces of its action, which is
certainly surprising.
613. To make Stuchum, or Perpetual Ink of the,
Ancients, for writing on Stone.
This ink, or slue hum, as it was formerly called,
is made by mixing about three parts pitch, with one
.of lamp-black, which are to be incorporated by
melting the pitch into the lamp-black. This compo-
sition they used in a melted state* by filling up the
letters previously marked on stones, which would,
unless any extraordinary violence was used, endure
as long as the stone itself.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PAINT PAINTINGS MANAGEMENT OF
COLOURS.
G19. Directions for painting Rooms, Rails ,
Red lead must be ground with linseed oil, and
used very thin, it being the priming or first colour-
ing ; when used, some drying oils must Jbe put to it.
620. To prepare drumguil and Paint.
Put a Scots pint (two English quarts) of linseed
oil in a pan, with a pint of burnt umber ; boil it gent-
ly two hours ; prepare this without doors, for fear of
fire in the house ; when it settles it will be fit for
use ; pour the clear off, and use it with the white
lead ; the dregs will do for the red lead.
B B
C21. Fur the scrond Priming.
Take a hundred weight of white lead, with a;.
equal quantity of Spanish white in bulk but not in
weight; grind them pretty stiff with linseed oil;
when you use it. put in some of the above-mentiott-
ed drying oil, with a little oil of turpentine ; but do
not Jay on this till the first coat is very dry.
t>22. To make Putty and finish Painting.
Mix a quantity of whitening, very stiff, with lin-
seed oil, and drying oil, equal quantities ; when it
rannot be wrought v.ilh the hand, more whitening
must b<; added, and beat up with a mallet, till it is
Miffer ihun dough ; when the second priming is dry.
stop ail holes and cracks with the putty ; when hard
md JIT lay on th< 1 l;-st paint, vi: T .. grind the be^t
white k-ad very stiil'uith linseed oil ; uhcn used put
some of the drying oil to it. and oil of turpentine :
this will preserve out-works a long time.
N. D. For rooms and places withip doors, your
own fancy must direct you to the colours, only pro-
ceed as above.
623. To pri---.i Blue Colour from Verdigris.
Take sal-ammoniac and verdigris, of each six
ounces ; mix them well together with water of tar-
tar to a paste ; put this into a vial, and stop it close ;
let it stand for several days, and you will have a fine
blue colour.
624. Lead-coloured Paint for preserving Iron.
Take a small quantity of common Ikharge, and
place it over the fire in a shovel ; afterwards, when
sufficiently warm, scatter over it a little flower of
brimstone, which will instantly convert it into a
blackish colour, and which, when ground in oil,
makes a good dark lead colour. It dries quick, gets
remarkably hard, and resists the weather better thai
any other lead colour.
MANAGEMENT OF COLOURS. 15
"j.2,3. Method' of preparing, a cheap Substitute for OL.
Paint, as durable as that prepared with Oil, dm
free from any bad Smell.
Take fresh curds, and bruise the lumps on rr
rrinding-stone, or in an earthen pan or mortar, with
n spatula. After this operation, put them into a pot
with an equal quantity of lime well quenched, and
become thick enough to be kneaded : stir this mix--
O
*yre well, without adding water, and you will soon
' o /
obtain a white coloured fluid, which may be applied
with as much facility as varnish, and which dries ve-
ry speedily. But it must be employed the same
day, as it will become too thick the day following.
Ochre, Armenian bole, and all colours which
hold with lime, may be mixed with it, according to
the colour which you wish to give the wood ; but
care must be taken that the addition of colour to the
first mixture of curds and lime may contain very
little water, else the painting will be less durable.
When two coats of this paint have been laid on,
it may be polished with a piece of woollen cloth or
other proper substance, and it will become as bright
as varnish. It is certain that no kind of painting
can be so cheap ; but it possesses, besides, ether
advantages ; in the same day two coats may be
laid on and polished* as it dries speedily and has
no smell. If it be required to give it more durabili-
ty in places exposed to moisture, do over the paint-
ing, after i't has been polished, with the- white of an
egg. This process will render it as durable as the
best oil painting.
626. Cheap black Paint from earthy and mineral
Substances,
Take of the blueish marly stone, found in copper,
tin, and load mines, (principally in the copper
mines) and of iron stone, and of fine blue marie of
sbt.". and of ochre, equal quantities, and reduce
>ib PAINT - IAIMIXGS.
them by grinding or pounding to a very fine p<
To any given quantity of the above-mentioned ma-
le-rials. when put together, add one eighth of their
weight of lamp-black, so that, (here will be seven
< ighths of the earthy or mineral substances, and onc-
hthofthe lamp-black. This produces a superior
black paint for wood, iron, canvas, or any other
thing for which paint is used : but for the purpose
of usinp- such paint, it must be trround (in the usual
D 1 O *
manner of grinding colours) with oil, as commonly
by ruiourmt'M or painters (their boiled oil is
o be pivf.Trccl) ; and the srr.rr when mixed and
:c r.j) ns other paii dly is. mr\y be used
y.iLli the- ! ru-.h as in common practice. Ivory black
mr-.v be . ted, but for general purposes the
j.n/n-black is preferable.
:??. T<> i Paint.
4 opper, diluted with about
of di Uiin water: then pour :::
r-russiate of lime untii the \\hole is precipitated : the
jirussialc of copper is t!en to be well washed, with
:old water, on the filler, and to be dried without
beat,
'i;?P>. ( ^titioi! f t?/.^r Weather Board
]\ t ;i'-itg. c,nl all other /Tor/Vy Hall'' tut": injured by
the K'calhcr.
l.imo, it is well known, when well burnt, will
oon become .^1 u kr,l bv exposure in the open air,
or even if confined in a situation not remarkably
dry. so as to crumble of itself into powder. This is
railed air-slacked lime, in contradistinction to that
which is slacked in the usual way, by being mixed
with water. For the purpose of making the present
useful composition to preserve all sorts of wood-
work exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather,
take three parts of this air-slacked lime, two of wood
ashes, and one of fine sand; pass them through a
MANAGEMENT OF COLOURS. 31?
fine sieve, and add as much linseed oil to the com-
position as will bring it to a proper consistence for
working with a painter's brush. As particular care
must be taken to mix it perfectly, it should be
ground on a stone slab with a proper muller, in the
same manner as painters grind their white lead,
&c. ; but, where these conveniences are cot at hand,
the ingredients may be mixed in a large pan. and
well beat .np w&h a wooden spatula. Tvvp coats' of
this composition beincj nfvessarv. the first may be
c_> '
rather thin ; but the second should be as thick SE
it can conveniently be \vork-rd. This most excellent
compostion for preserving wood when exposed to
the injuries of the weather, is-highly preferable to
the customary method of : ..^insj on tar and ochre,
tj * tJ
It would be much improved by melting one-half of
coal tar with the linseed oil.
29. TJ prepare Ike beautiful Colour called A^/^
, Yd I ->::,
.The beat-:.' >llow colour, commonly sold un-
der the name of Naples yellow, is well known.
Those \\ ho buy it are often imposed upon, by bcino
told that it is a substance produced from Mount
Vesuvius ; but it is now known to be a composition
by art. The process is composed of the following
i -
substances, viz. one pound ct aatinroniy, one pound
and a half of lead, half aji onnc^- of alum, and the
same quantity of common salt* The antimony and
lead should be calcined together, afterwards the
other ingredients added 1 , and then the whole mix-
ture undergoes a second calcination.
630. Another Method.
To procure this colour, take twelve ounces of
white lead, three ounces of diaphoretic antimony,
alum and sal-ammoniac, of each one ounce. All these
must be ground together dry, upon a levigating
B B2
PAIXT PAIXTIN*
stone ; they must then be put into an open crucible,
and exposed to a gentle Tire for some hours ; the fire-
is afterwards to be increased during a certain time .
and finally the mixture is to continue three hours in
a degree of heat sufficient to keep the crucible red
hot. The mass will then be found to have acquired
a beautiful yellow colour. Jf it is wished to be more
31 the colour of gold, a greater quantity of diaphor
'tic antimony and sal-ammoniac must be added to
-he other ingredients.
It is probable; that, instead of diaphoretic anti-
mony, the grey calx of amimony might be made
use of.
C31 . .Mrs. Hookers Method of preparing and aj l{
.7 a Composition for Painting in Imitation <>J' t/tc
AnL'i< at dVic/. -iincr.
Fut into a glazed earthen vessel four ounces n
half of gum-arabic, and eight ounces, or half a
ine measure of cold sprio iter; when
:n is dissoh . ven ounces of gum-
mastic, which has been washed, dried, pickled, and
atcn fine. Set the earthen vessel containing the
.Lcrand gum-mastic over a slow fire, contin-
.lly slirring and beating them hard with a spoon.
in order to dissolve the gum-mastic ; when suffici-
ently boiled, it will no longer appear fransparc:
but will become opaque and stiff, like a paste. As
^oon as this is the case, and the gum-water and
.I stic are quite boiling, without, taking them off the
e, add five ounces of white wax. broken into small
nieces, stirring; and beating the different ingredients
^ / v) tJ CJ
together, till the wax is perfectly melted, and has
boiled. Then take the composition oft' the fire, as
boiling it longer than necessary would only harden
'.he wax, and prevent its mixing so well afterwards
with water. When the composition is taken oil' the
fire, and in the glazed earthen vessel it should be
MANAGEMENT OF COLOURS,, 31 C'
beaten hard, and whilst hot (but not boiling) mix
with it, by degrees, a pint (wine measure) or six-
teen ounces more of cold spring water: then strain
the composition, as some dirt will boil out of the
gum-mastic, and put it into bottles ; the composition,
if properly made, should be like a cream, and the
colours when mixed with it as smooth as with oil.
The method of using it, is to mix with the composi-
tion, upon an earthen pallet, such colours, in pow-
der, as are used in painting with oil, and such a
quantity of the composition to be mixed with the
colours as to render them of the usual consistency
of oil colours; then paint with fair water. The co-
lours, when mixed with the composition, may be
laid on either thick or thin, as may best suit your.
subject; on which account, this composition is ve-
ry advantageous, where any particular transparen-
cy of colouring is required ; but in most cases it an-
swers best if the colours be laid on thick, and they
require the same use of the brush, as if painting
with body colours, and the same brushes as used in
oil painting. The colours, if ground dry, when
mixed with the composition, may be used by put-
ting a little fair water over them; but it is less
trouble to put some water when the colours are ob-
served to be growing dry. In painting with this
composition, the colours blend without difficulty
when wet, and even when dry the tints may easily
be united by means of a brush and a very small
quantity of fair water. When the painting is finish-
ed,, put some white wax into a glazed earthen vessel
over a slow fire, and when melted, but not boiling,
with a hard brush cover the painting with the wax,
and when cold take a moderately hot iron, such as is
used for ironing linen, and so cold as not to hiss, if
touched with any thing wet, and draw it lightly over
the wax. The painting will appear as if under a
cloud till the wax is perfectly cold ; as also, what-
) 2 r A KS T P AIXTINGSt
ever ti,e- picture is painted upon is quite cold ; but
if, when so, the painting should not appear suffici-
ently clear, it may be held before the fire, so far
from it as to melt the wax but slowly; or the wax'
nay be melted by holding a hot poker at such a dis-
tance as to melt it gently, especially such parts of
the picture as should not appear sufficiently trans-
parent or brilliant: for the oftener heat is applied
to the picture, the greater will be the transparency
i;iicl brilliancy of colouring; but the contrary c fleet
\vould be produced if tuo Mjdden or too great a de-
gree of heat was applied, or for too long a time, as
n world draw the uax t >o much to thf surface, and
Might likewise crack the paint. Should the coat of
wax put over the painting, whr-n fmi^hr-d. .'.ppearin
y part uneven, it may be remedied by drawing a
moderately hot iron over it again, as before-men-
tioned, or even by scraping the wax vim a knife ;
arid should the wax, by d > L'i'eat or too long an ap-
plicaiion ol he;it. form ir.iu bubbles ai particular
places, by applying a pokrr healed, or even a to-
bacco-pipe made iiot. the bubbles would subtle ;
or such defects may b" removed by drawing any
thing hard over the wax, which would close any
^mall cavities.
When the picture is cold, rub it with a fine linen
cloth. Pai;itiii-'.-> m.iv be executed in this manner
upon wood (h r.iiig first pieces of wood let in be-
hind, across the grain of the wood, to prevent its
\yarping), canvas, card, or plaster of Paris. The'
plaster of Paris would require no other preparation
than mixing some fine plaster of Pa; is, in powder,
With cold water, the thickness of a cream; then put
it on a looking-glass, having first made a frame of
bees'-wax on the looking-glass, the form and thick-
ness you would wish the plaster of P:iris to be of,
and when dry take it oft', and there will be a very
smooth surface to paint upon. Wood and carr.
MANAGEMENT OF r 01. OURS. ,1
nre best covered with some grey tint, mixed with
.he same composition of gum-arabic, gum-mastic,
irid \vax, and of the same sort of colours as before-
mentioned, before the design is begun, in order to
over the grain of the wood or the threads of the
anvas. Paintings may also be done in the same
manner, with only gum- water and gum-mastic, pre-
pared the same way as the mastic and wax ; but in-
stead of putting seven ounces of mastic, and. when
boiling, adding five ounces owax, mix twelve oun-
ces of giim-mastic with the gum-water, prepared as
mentioned in the first part of this receipt; before
it is put on the fire, and when sufficiently boiled and
beaten, and is a little cold, stir in, by degrees, twelve
ounces, or three quarters of a pint (wine measure)
of cold spring water, and afterwards strain it. It
v/ould be equally practicable painting with wax
alone, dissolved in gum-water in the following man-
ner : Take twelve ounces, or three quarters of a
pint (wine measure) of cold spring water, and four
unces and a half of gum-arabic, put them into a
glazed earthen vessel, and when the gum is dissolv-
ed, odd eight ounces of white wax. Put the earthen
vessel, with the gum- water and wax, upon a slo'.v
lire, and stir them till the wax is dissolved, and has
boiled a few minutes; then take them off the fire,
and throw them into a bason, as by remaining in the
hot earthen vessel the wax would become rather
hard: beat the gum-water and wax till quite cold,
As there is but a small proportion of water in com-
parison to the quantity of gum end wax, it would be
necessary, in mixing this composition with the co-
lours, to put also some fair water. Should the com-
position be so mode as to occasion the ingredients
ix) separate in the bottle, it will become equally ser-
viceable, if shaken before used, to mix with the
lours,
PAINT FAIXTIM- .
632. To clean Oil P<
I f smoked, or very dirty, take
a li'ttlc common salt is dis^o-hed i ver
^vith a woollen cloth dipped in tna% till Y.-MJ think
'limn quite clean, then with :\ sponge wash them
over with fair water; then dry them, and rub them
over with a clean cloth.
:3. 7"j ftf/tv o/T, in::t<-:>i!ly< a Ci-py from a Print
Pict.it-, .
M ikr :\ \vnf.-r nf s. . tld ri'niiij, wilh which v.Tt
8 v.loih or paper j lay it either on a print or picture,
atvl j.:ir.s it once imdor the rolling press; then go-
: } i'oun'1 the otlicr side to take it up, you will have
:} very line copy of whatever you shall have laid it
upon.
63 1. To clean and whiten I ' r erg, ; 'in;-'
Half fill a ^lass bottlo with a mixture composed
of one part of the red oxy-J n:' ; . cr miriium, and
ipc-e parts of the muriatic acid-. losod
o mouth of the bottle with ; . -loppc-r. put ) f
!n a cool place not exposed to the li^h?. A certain
!. '"at will then be proc! on
that new combinations aro form-
the lead abandons a considsral >rtioi of its ox,
i, which remains combined wi or: thi
Ler t ! 'Gn acrjuirc a beautiful gold colour, nndns-
loiiroftl . rnr.tcd muriatic .aci
Jf holds in solution a small portion of the ler/l. which
does no! 1:1 t!ie lenst^ inj'M'C its cfTccl. It is necc.--
;v that the bottle should l-o of strong glass, a
the st^pjier be well secured, in order to prevent the
clastic vapoi.r which rises from forcing it out.
When you employ the lirjuor thus prepared, take a
large pane of glass, and raise a kind of border, ot
white wax around its edge, about two inches in
J'H-/;!! and every way equal. By these BH ns yoti
MANAGEMENT OF .JOLGURS. 323
form a sort of trough, into which put the prints, and
pour over them a little fresh urine, or water mixed
with a portion of ox gall. At the end of three or
four days, pour off which of these liquids you have
employed, and supply its place with warm water,
which ought to- be changed every three or four
hours, until it conies off perfectly clear. When
the matter, with which the prints are dirtied, is of a
resinous colour, which sometimes happens, dip them
in a little alcohol : afterwards suffer all the moisture
to drain -off, and cover the prints with the liquor of
the oxygenated muriatic acid made by minium.
Place on the edges of the wax another pane of glass,
of the same size as that below, in order that you
.may not be too much incommoded by the smell of
the acid ; and you will plainly see the yellowest
prints resume their original whiteness. One or two
hours will be sufficient to produce the desired effect.
Having then poured off the acid, wash the prints
several times in pure water, and dry them in the
sun.
C35. To make Mezzotmt&&.
Mezzotintos are made in the following manner ;
Take a well-polished copper-plate, and, beginning
.at the corner, rake or furrow the surface all over
with a knife or instrument made for the purpose,
first one way and then the other, till the whole is of
a regular roughness, without the least smooth part
^3 j
to be seen; in which state, if a paper was to be
worked from it at the copper-plate press, it would
be all over black. When this is done, the plate is
rubbed over with charcoal, or black lead, and then
the design is drawn with white chalk; after which,
the outlines are traced out, and the plate finished,
by scraping off the roughness, so as to leave the
figure on the plate. The outlines and deepest shades
are not scraped at all, the nest shades are scraped
321 PAINT PAINTINGS.
but little-, the next more, and so on, till th
lib -ally falling off, leave the paper white, in which
places the plate is neatly burnished.
G36. To judge of Transparent Colours for Painting.
Transparent colours should be so clear, when
mixed with abundance of water, as to communicate
a strong tint without in the smallest degree plaster-
ing or concealing; the paper, &c. : hence their dc-
signation. The best of every kind are made from
. iier vegetable or animal substances, minerals be-
ing extremely difficult to prepare, equally so to
id many of them very subject to
To prepare Ivory j B / Miniature Paint-
er
T: be ivory leaves, or tables on which the
painting is to be : and. iiaving cleansed it, rub
r with the juice of garli This takes off that
> which is so much complained of, as prc-
MHiting the colours from taking on the ground ;
jind which is not otherwise e remedied by the
of soap, or even gall. It is, however, effectu-
'moved by the above simple preparation.
. //or/; to stencil, or rnuJlijjli/ Paid rns, for work-
in g Muslins, cV'\
"\Vhcn a print or drawing is to be copied in this
way, it must be placed upon a sheet of white paper,
and the outline pricked through both with a pin or
needle ; the pierced sheet may then be laid on a
second clean one, and a muslin bag of powdered
charcoal shook or rubbed over it, when, upon re-
moving the former, the latter will be found a per-
fect copy.
)9. To stain Paper or Parchment yellow.
Paper may b( Gained of a beautiful yellow by
PERFUMES COSMETICS* 325
-the tincture of turmeric 3 formed by infusing an
ounce or more of the root, powdered, in a pint of
spirit of wine. This, by afterwards adding water
1o it, may be made to give any tint of yellow, front
the lightest straw to the full colour cai:ed French
yellow, and will be equal in brightness even to the
Hbest dyed silks. If yellow is wanted of a warmer
or redder cast, annatto, or dragon's blood, must be
added to the tincture.
B
640. To stain Paper or Parchment crimson,,
A very fine crimson stain may be given to paper,
by a tincture of the Indian lake, which may be
made by infusing the lake some days in spirits of
wine, and then pouring off the tincture from the
dregs.
64 1. To stain Paper or Parchment gresn.
Paper or parchment may be stained green by the
solution of verdigris in vinegar, or by the crystals
of verdigris dissolved in water ; also by the solution
of copper in aquafortis, made by adding filings of
copper, gradually, to the aquafortis till no ebulli-
tion etfsues ; or the spirit of salt may be substituted
-for the aquafortis.
CHAPTER XXIX.
'PERFUMES COSMETICS,
'642. To make an excellent Smelling Bottle*
Take an equal quantity of sal-ammoniac and un-
slacked lime, pound them separate, then mix and
put them in a bottle to smell to. Before you put in
c c
326 PERFUMES COSMETICS.
the above, drop two or three drops of the essence of
burgamot into the bottle, then cork it close. A
drop or two of ether, added to the same, will great-
ly improve it.
G43. To make Jessamine. Butter, or Pomatum.
Hog's lard melted, and well washed in fair wa-
ter, laid an inch thick in a dish, and strewed over
\vithjessamine flowers, will imbibe the scent, and
make a very fragrant pomatum.
44, To make MUk of Roses.
To one pint of rose water, add one ounce of oil
of almonds, and ten drops of the oil of tartar.
Nr B. Let the oil of tartar be poured in last,
-15. }l r ash fur the Skin
Four ounces of pot-ash, four ounces of rose-wa-
ter, two ounces of pure brandy, and two odnces of
lemon juice ; put all these into two quarts of wa-
ter, and when you wash, put a table-spoonful or
two of the mixture into the .bason of water you in-
tend washing in.
4G. Method of extracting Essences from Flo.
Procure a quantity of the petals of any flowers
which have an agreeable fragrance ; card thin lay-
ers of cotton, which dip into the finest Florence or
Lucca oil ; spriukle a small quantity of fine salt on
the flowers, and lay them, a layer of cotton, and a
layer of flowers, until an earthen vessel or a wide-
mouthed glass bottle is full. Tie the top close with
a bladder, then lay the vessel in a south aspect to
the heat of the sun, and in fifteen days, when i'n-
covered, a fragrant oil may be .squeezed away free,
the whole mass, little inferior (if that flower is
made use of) to the dear and highly valued Otto or
Odour cf Roses.
PERFUMES COSMETICS. 327
617, To make the Quintessence of Lavender, or other
Aromatic Herb.
Take off the blossoms from the stalks, which
must be cut fresh at sun-rising in warm weather ;
spread the blossoms on a white linen cloth, and lay
them in the shade for twenty-four hours ; after
which, stamp or bruise them ; then put them, im-
mersed in warm water, into the still, near a fire, and
let them infuse for the space of five or six hours, so
closely covered that nothing may exhale from it ;
after which time, take off the covering, and quick-
ly put on the helm, and lute it carefully. You
must, in the beginning, draxv over half the quantity
of the water you put in. If you take away the re v -
ceiver, you will see the quintessence on the surface
of the water, which you may easily separate from
it. Then put the distilled water back again, and
dis4il it over again, till there, appear no more of the
quintessence on the water. You may distil this wa-
ter four or five times over, according as you per-
ceive the quintessence upon it.
The best distilling utensils for this work are those
for the balneum mar ice, or sand bath ; meanwhile
you may, after the common method, distil the in-
gredients on an open fire. But if you intend to
make quintessence for waters, you may make use
of common salt, in order to extract the more quint-
essence of any blossom.
Take four pounds of blossoms of any aromatic
plant and infuse in it six quarts of water. If you
use salt to bring your infusion to a ferment, add
half a pound of common salt to it.
648. To obtain Aromatic Oils from the Pellicle?
which envelopes the Seeds of the Laurus Sassafras,
and Laurus Benzoin.
The method of obtaining these oils is, to boil the
pellicle which surrounds the seeds of the sassafras
328 PERFUMES COSMETICS.
and benjamin-tree, in water, when they fioa-t upon
its surface, from which they may be skimmed with
a spoon.
That of the sassafras differs materially from the
oil obtained from the bark of the root of this tree,
Its aroma is different, it is much lighter, and it con-
geals in a higher degree of heat.
The oil of the benzoin-tree is a delightful aro-
matic, is very inflammable, and might be used as a
spice in food, and in all those diseases in which the
aromatic oils are useful. It has been tried with
success, as an external application, in a case of
severe chronic rheumatism. One half pound of the
pellicle of the seeds will yield sever..;! cance mea-
sures of oiL
649. To preset i-e Aromatic and oilier Herbs.
The boxes and drawers in which vegetable mat-
ters arc kept, should not impart to them any smell
or tnsu- , and more certainly to avoid this, they
.should be lined with paper. Such as are volatile,
of a delicate texture, or subject to "suffer from in-
sects, must be kept in weil-covered glasses. Fruits
and oily seeds, whirh are apt to become rancid,
must be kept in a cool and dry, but by no mci:
in LI warm and moist place.
.0. Lai-cnthr
Puttwopoun< lavender pips into two quarts
of water, put the.-n into a cold siili. and make a
slow fire under it ; distil it off very .slo\\ly, and put
it into a pot till you have distilled all your wt<
then clean your still well out, put your lavender
water into it, and distil it off slowly again ; put U
into bottles, and cork it well.
651. Another.
Take a pint of the best rectified spirits of wine,
a shilling's-worth of oil of lavender, sixpennywor
PERFUMES COSMETICS, 329
of essence of ambergris ; mix these altogether, and
keep it close from the air, then draw it off for useo
Let it stand till it is fine before you draw it off.
652. To make Rose Water.
Gather roses on a dry day, when they are full
blown ; pick off the leaves, and to a peck put a
quart of water 5 . then put them into a cold still, make
a slow fire under it, the slower you distil it the bet-
ter it will be ; then bottle it, and in two or three
days you may cork it.
853. To make Eau de Luce, and its Us 2*
Take of spirit of wine one ounce, spirit of sal-
ammoniacum four ounces, oil of amber one scruple,
white Castile soap ten grains. Digest the soap and
oil in the spirits of wine, add the ammoniacum, and
shake them well together.
654. To make Hungary Water.
Tak-e a quantity of the flowers of rosemary, put
them into a glass retort, and pour in as much spirit
of wine as the flowers can imbibe ; dilute the retort
well, and let the flowers macerate for six days,
then distilit in a sand heat...
655. To make Gtto (or Odour) of Roses.
Pick the leaves of roses from all seeds and stalks,
put them in a clean earthen vessel, glazed within,
or a clean wooden vessel. Pour spring water on
them, so as to cover them; set the vessel in the sun
in tke morning at rising, and leave it in the sun-
shine till sun-set ; then take them into the house 5
repeat this for six or seven days, and in three or
four days there will be a fine yellow oily matter on
the surface of the water ; and, in two or three days
siore, there will appear a scum upon the surface,
which is the otto of roses. This may be taken up
.030 PERFUMES COSMETK
with cotton, and squeezed into a phial with the fing-
er and thumb.
Remark, It is suspected that there is some mis-
take in this receipt, and it has passed to the public
through very many hands. It was published in the
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh,
on the authority of Dr. D. Monro. of London, who
received it from Major Mackenzie, who again got
it from an oliicer of his corps, whose name is not
mentioned.
The account given by Polier in the Transactions
of the Bengal Society is very different. It is need-
less to detail it, for it is exactly the process of an
European distiller : cohobation on fresh leaves, and
nosun; t<> slight cold, to congeal the essential oil,
A'hic h is skimmed oil' or taken up by cotton, and
squeezed into phial-.
it is conjectured, thai in the manufacture or pro-
ductionof otto which is thought to be profitable in
the East, and the reverse in Europe, the ditfcrence
.an not be in the price of labour, or similar circum-
stances, which European skill would more than
compensate ; but in the fact, that there is a marlu'
for rose-water in the East, from the quantity used
in washing hands, sprinkling rooms and garments,
and similar purposes, to which the demand of the
European apothecary and confectioner is compara-
tively insignificant. It is but a thin film of congeal-
ed essential oil which a great quantity of rose-water
will afford ; and after it is taken off, the water is
still very good. In India it may be sold ; in Eu-
xope it is waste ; for to employ it in fresh distilla-
tions is clearly to waste a manufactured article.
5o6. To make Lip Salve.
Take an ounce of white wax and ox marrow,
three ounces of white pomatum, and melt all in a
"bath heat ; add a drachm of alkanet, and stir it till
it acquire a reddish colour*
PERFUMES COSMETICS. -SSI
657. To make the celebrated Pomade Divine.
According to Dr. Beddoes, this composition is as
follows, viz. beef marrow, twelve ounces steeped in
water ten days, and afterwards in rose water twen-
ty-four hours ; flowers of benjamin, pounded storax,
and Florentine orris, of each half an ounce ; cinna-
mon, a quarter of an ounce clove and nutmeg a
quarter of an ounce. The whole to be put in
an earthen- vessel, closely covered down, to keep in
the fumes, and being suspended in water made to
boil three hours : after which, the whole is to be
strained and put into bottles.
658. To make Soft Pomatum.
Take what quantity of hog's lard you choose to
make ; cut it down in small pieces, and cover it with
clear spring water, changing it every twenty-four
hours for eight days ; when il is quite white, put it
into a pan, and melt it over a clear fire ; when it is
all melted; strain it, and put to it some essence o
lemon to perfume it : so keep it for use.
859. To make Hard Pomatum.
For hard Pomatum, blanch the hog's lard in the
same manner, as also some mutton suet, and .boil
them together with a little white wax ; scent it with
essence of lemon or lavender, then make round
paper cases, and when cold turn down the other
end, and keep it for use.
660. Genuine Windsor Soap.
To make this famous soap for washing the hands,
shaving, &c. nothing more is necessary than to slice
the best white soap as thin as possible, melt it in a
stew-pan over a slow fire, scent it well with oil of
caraway, and then pour it into a frame or mould
made for that purpose, or a small drawer, adapted
in size and form to the quantity. When it. has stood
three or four days in a dry situation^ cut i-t into square
3- PERFUMES COSMETICS*
pieces, and it is ready for use. By this simple mode,
substituting any more favourite scent for that of car-
away, all persons may suit themselves with a good
perfumed soap at the most trifling expense. Shaving
boxes may be at once filled with the melted soap,
instead of a mould.
661. To prepare Aromatic Vinegar.
Take of common vinegar any quantity ; mix a
sufficient quantity of powdered chalk, or common
whitening, with it, to destroy the acidity. Then let
the white matter subside, and pour off the insipid,
pernalant liquor; afterwards let the while pow-
tirr be drtod, either in the open air, or by a lire.
IVhcn it is dry, nonr upon it sulphuric acid (oil of
vitriol), as long as white acid fumes continue to as-
cend. Slonc vessels are the properest to be u>cdon
this occasion, as the acid will not act upon them.
This product is the acetic acid, known in the shops
by the name of aromatic vinegar. The simplicity
and cheapness of this process points it out as a ve-
ry u"-rfi;l and commodious one for purifying prisons,
hospital-ships, and houses, where contagion is pre-
sumed or suspected, the white acid fumes diffusing
themselves quickly around.
If any one is desirous of obtaining the acid in a
liquid state, the apparatus of Nooth presents a coi;
vcnience for the purpose. It must of course be col-
lected in water. But the muriatic acid is cheaper,
and much more expansible.
66 .\ Essence of Soap for ' Shaving or washing
I lands.
Take a pound and a half of fine while soap in thirv
slices, and add thereto two ounces of salt of tartar ;
mix them well together, and put this mixture into
one quart of spirits of wine, in a bottle which will
hold double the quantity of the ingredients j tie n,
PEHFUMES CCSMET2C3*
bladder over the mouth of the bottle, and prick a
pin through the bladder ; set it to digest in a gentle
heat, and shake the contents from time to time, tak-
ing care to take out the pin at such times to allow
passage for the air -from within; when the soap is
dissolved, filter the liquor through paper, to free it
from impurities ; then scent it with a little burga-
inot or essence of lemon. It will have the appearance
of fine oil, and a small quantity will lather with wa-
ter like soap, and is much superior in use for wash*
ing or shaving,
663. To increase the Growth of Hair.
Hartshorn beat small, and mixed with oil, being
rubbed on the head of persons who have lost their
hair, will cause it to grow- again as at first,
664. To know whether Hair Powder is adulterated
with Lime.
Put a little crude sal-ammoniac, in powder, to the
suspected hair powder, and add a little warm water
to the mixture, and stir it about; if the powder has
been adulterated with lime, a strong smell of vola-
tile alkali will arise from this mixture.
865. To perfume Hair Powder.
Take one drachrn of musk, four ounces of laven-
der blossoms, one and a half drachm of civet, and
half a drachm of ambergris ; pound the whole toge^
ther, and pass it through a sieve. Preserve this mix-
ture in well-stopped bottles, and add more or less
thereof, as agreeable, in your hair powder.
66. Preparation of the Greek Waier^ (or the Solu-
tion of Silver, for the converting red or light co-
loured Hair into a deep Broivn,
Take silver filings, and dissolve them in spirit of
nitre. The spirit of nitre and the silver, being put
in a matrass, must be placed^ first in a gentle sand-
: . t PERFUMES COSMETICS.
heat, and afterwards removed where the fluiJ may
be made to boil for a short time. Bern? taken out
o
Df the sand-heat, while yet hot, add as much water
as may have evaporated during the boiling; and,
\v!iC:i the solution is grown cold, decant 'off the clear
fluid from the sediment, if there be any, and the un-
dissolved part of the silver filings ; which may be
dissolved afterwards, by adding more spirit of ni-
tre, and repeating the same treatment.
(Lunar caustic dissolved in water is precisely the
same. It is sold by the chemists for about half-a-
crown an ounce ; the salt is more pure and cheaper
than it can be made in small quantities.)
Note. The solution of silver, thus obtained, with
common water, is the Greek water, used for turning-
red or light-coloured hair to brown. Its efficacy
may be greatly improved by washing the hair be-
fore the application of the water, with common wa-
ter, in which some soda has been dissolved. The
proportion may be an ounce and a half of pure soda
to a pint of the water; but it requires a frequent
repetition to change the colour of the hair; und care
must be taken that a sufficient quantity of water be
added to dilute the solution, to prevent its destroy-
ing the hair, cr, perhaps, excoriating the skin by
its causticity. At least double the quantity of water
should be therefore added.
The hair must first be cleaned from powder and
pomatum, with a small-tooth comb, and thrn washed
with the soda and water till all grease, pomatum. &:c.
be "ot out; then use the Geek water in the follow-
o
ing manner, first shaking the bottle : Take as much
hair as can conveniently be wetted, and with a bic
of sponge, tied on a little stick dipped in the Greek
water, wet the hair well, and so proceed till all i-
wetted ; let it dry by sun, air, or fire, before you re
peat it, which must be done four times, and after-
wards be washed with the soda and water, all which
PERFUMES COSMETICS. 335
may easily be done in eight hours* A cloth should
be put on the shoulders, and do not let the Greek
water touch the skin, or as little as possible. To
make yourself expert, first try, according to the a-
bove directions, to dye a lock of hair that is not
growing on the head; and make the Greek water
stronger or weaker, according as you find it neces-
sary,
667, A more convenient Dye for the Hair.
The defect of the preceding composition is, that
it stains the skin as well as the hair ; this inconve-
nience does not attend the following preparation :
Into a glass phial or a porcelain of clean-glazed
earthen-ware vessel, filled with strong clear lime-
water, put a little litharge in fine powder. The lime-
water will dissolve a portion of the litharge in the
coltJ, and a greater quantity by the application of a
boiling heat. When the solution is complete, pour
it into a bottle, and keep it stopped. More lime-wa-
ter may be put to the remaining litharge. By eva-
poration in a retort, the solution is concentrated,
and yields very small transparent crystals, about as
soluble in water as lime.
It blackens the hair and the nails ; but as it does
not affect the colour of the skin, nor of animal oils,
it may be applied every time that the face is wash-
ed, or the hair combed. It is decomposed by the
.sulphate .of alkalies and sulphurated hydrogen gas*
586 RA.
CHAPTER XXX,
'8. To destroy Rats and ether Vermin.
Sponge, if cut in small pieces, fried or dipped in
honey, and given to vermin, distends their intestines,
and effectually destroys them, The addition of a
little oil of rhodium will tempt them to eat.
A better method would be to feed them regularly
two or three weeks in any apartment which they
infest. The hole, by which they enter, being first
fitted with a sliding door, to which a long string may
be added; any apartment might be thus turned into
a gigantic rat-trap.
6 G 9 . Another J\Jr i h od of dc s t rot/ ing Ra ts ,
Lay bird-lime in tht-ir haunts, for though they are
nasty enough in other respects, yet being very cu-
rious of their fur, if it is but daubed with this stuff,
it is so troublesome to them that they will even
scratch their skins from off their own back to art it
o
oli', and will never abide in the place \vhere they
have suffered in this manner.
670. To destroy Rats or Mice,
"Mix flour of rnalt, with some butter; add thereto
a drop or two of oil of aniseeds; make it up into
balls, and bait your traps therewith. If you have
thousands, by this means you may take them all.
671. A Mouse Trap, by which forty or fifty Mice may
be caug/'t in a Might*
Take a plain four-square trencher, and put into
the two contrary ends of it a large pin, or piece of
thick knitting needle; then take two sticks about z
RATS. 337
3?ard long, and lay them on your dresser, with a
notch cut at each end of your sticks, placing the
two pins, stuck on the corner of the trencher, on the
notches of the two sticks, so that one corner of 3*001*
trencher may lie about an inch upon your dresser or
place that the mice come to ; then let the corner that
lies opposite to this be baited with some butter and
oatmeal, plastered fast on, and when the mice run
off the dresser to the butter, it will tip them into a
vessel full of water, which you must place under
the trencher, in which they will be drowned.
That your trencher may not tip over, with a little
sealing-wax and a thread, seal the string to the dres-
ser and trencher, and it will remain in good order
for weeks or months.
672. .New, simple, and Effectual Method of destroy-
ing Rats.
A few years ago, the corn-mill at Glossop was
very much infested with rats. A quantity of barley,
which lay on the chamber floor, was hourly visited
by some of them. The miller one day going to drive
them away, as usual, happened to catch one of them
under his hat, which he killed ; he then singed all
the hair off its body, &c. until its skin, tail, and
legs became stiff by the operation. In this condi-
tion he set it upon its feet by the side of a heap of
barley, where it stood, with pricked-up ears and
tail, for some time : after this, no rat dared to come
near it ; and in a short space of time the mill was
cleared of those depredators, and has continued so
ever since.
673. Dr. Taylors cheap and efficaious Method of
destroying Rats.
[Communicated to the Manchester Agricultural So-
ciety.]
In or near the place frequented by these vermin,
DD
38 RA,
place on a slate or die one or two table-spoonfuls
dry co'.meal. Lay it thin, and press it flat, more ea-
sily to ascertain what is taken away. As the rats, it'
not interrupted, will come regularly there to feed,
continue to supply them with fresh oatmeal for two
or three days; and then, well mixing, in about six
table-spoonfuls of dry oatmeal, three drops only of
oil of aniseeds, feed them with this for two or three
days more. Afterward, for one day, give them only
half the quantity of this scented oatmeal which they
have before eaten ; and next day, place the follow-
2 mixture : To four ounces of dry oatmeal, scent-
: with six drops of oil of aniseeds, and half an
ounce of carbonated barytcs, previously pounded
vrrv fine in a rnortar, and sifted through a litlle fine
nuiblin or cambric. i\lix these intimately with the
scented oatmeal ; and, laying it on the tile or slate,
;i!low the rats to cat it, without the smallest inter-
ruption, for twenty-four hours. A few hours after
rating any of it. the -y will frequently be seen run-
ning about, as if d.-'ink, or paralytic ; but they gene-
rally, at last, retire to their haunts, and die. As rats
are extremely sagacious, it may be proper, when
they have, during the twenty-four hours, eaten only
a small portion, to leave the remainder of the mix-
ture twenty-four hours longer; after which it^will be
best to burn what is left, a fresh mixture being pre-
pared at so trifling an expense when wanted. The
doors of the place where this mixture is exposed to
the rats should be kept closed; as well to prevent
their being disturbed, as to obviate the possibility
of accidents to children or domestic animals; for,
though it be not so extremely dangerous as the pre-
parations commonly employed for killing rats, and
is even used in medicine, it proves fatal, if impro-
perly taken, unless timely counteracted by emetics.
The oil of aniseeds, though it renders the mixtu:
disagreeable to dogs, and many other animals, is ak
EATS. 33$
g, when used in small quantnies, to rats. The
carbonated barytes, Dr. Taylor adds, maybe pro-
. .red in -large quantities at the lead mines belong-
ing to Sir Frank Statidish, Bart, at Anglezark, near
'?horley, in Lancashire : the proper sort is tasteless,
semi-transparent, and effervesces with acids ; it is
moderately hard, and striated. It is called aerated
j-ytes -terra ponderosa aerata and, sometimes^
by the miners, ponderous spar. It may be purchas--
od at a cheap rate from Messrs. Brown and Mawe,
in T.avistock-street, or other collectors of minerals.
G74. To prevent the Burrowing of Rats in Houses.
Rats may be effectually prevented from burrow-
rug under the foundation of houses, by making an
offset erf stone or brick, about two feet in breadth,
and eighteen inches below the surface; and by car-
rying up a perpendicular wall from the edge of this
offset, to within a few inches of the ground. The a-
cloption of the same plan, inside will prevent the
burrowing of these animals in cellars : for rats al-
ways burrow close to a wall; and finding their per-
pendicular course impeded, they take a horizontal
direction, as far as the offset continues, when they
are again stopped by the outside wall. Thus baffled,
'hey ascend, and go off.
Those persons who have suffered in their grana-
ries, ice-houses, and in the cellars of their dwelling-
houses, by the depredations of rats, will probably
deem this one of the most valuable articles of the
present work.
- (1 *POTS OR STAIN
CHAPTER XXXI.
SPOTS OR
675. To make portable Baits, for removing SJJL
from CYof/Ko in general.
Take fullers's-earth, perfectly dried, so that it
crumbles into a powder; moisten it with the clear
juice of lemons, and add a small quantity of pure
pearl ashes; then work and knead the whole care-
fully together, till it acquires the consistence of a
thick elastic paste; form it into convenient small
. and expose them to the heat of the sun, iti
; iich they ought to be completely dried. In this
state they are fit for use in the manner following :
Fiis% moisten the snot on your clothes with water,
n:! ii u : iht: .i just described, and suffer
.!i the sun : after having washed 1
..
e water, till it will entirely disappear.
. 77,'. / of Brimstone u.^f>' remoi
'.'v "/ .^((tifi? in Lifi'ji, <.\v.
If a ml ro>e lit- held in the furnc.s of a brimstone-
match, the colour will .-non begin to change, and.
tt length, the ilower will become white. By the
same process, fruil-stains or iron moulds may be re-
moved from linen or colton cloths, if ihe spots be
previously moistened with water. Wi'li iron moulds,
iveak muriatic acid is preferable, assblod by heat .
as by laying the cloth on a, tea-pot or V filled
with boiling water.
V77. To remove Spots of Grease from Paper.
Take an equal quantity of roach-alum, burnt,
Bower of brimstone, finely pojvd :cd tojro'.iicr;
SPOTS OR STAINS. 341
the paper a little, and put a small quantity of the
powder on the place, rubbing it gently with your
finger, and the spot will disappear.
678. Substitute for Salt of Sorrel, for removing Ink
Spots and Iron Mould*.
Take six parts of crystals of tartar, in powder,
diree parts of alum, likewise pulverized, and use
ihem in the same manner as salt of sorrel.
379. Expeditious Method of taking out Stains from
Scarlet, or Velvet of any other Colour.
Take soap wort, bruise it, strain out its juices^
uid add to it a small quantity of black soap. Wash
the stain with this liquor, suffering it to dry between
whiles, and by this method the spots will in a day
IT
or two entirely disappear.
G80. To take Spots effectually out >:-f Silk, Linen, or
Woollen.
Spirits of turpentine, twelve drops, and the same
quantity of spirits of wine ; grind these with an
ounce of pipe-maker's clay, and rub the spots
therewith. You are to wet the composition when
you do either silk, linen, or woollen with it ; let it
remain till dry, then rub it off, and the spot or spots
will disappear.
True spirits of salts diluted with water, will re-
move iron-moulds from linen : and sal-ammoniac,
with lime, will take out the stains of wine..
681. To take the Stains of Grease from Woollen or
Silk.
Three ounces of spirits of wine, three ounces of
French chalk, powdered, and five ounces of pipe-
clay. Mix the above ingredients, and make them in
rolls about the length of a finger, and you will find
a never-failing remedy for removing grease from
woollen or silken goods.
DD 2
342 sl'OTs UK s
N. B. It is to be applied by rubbing on the
cither dry or wet, and afterwards brushing the
place.
682. Ea?y and safe Method of discharging Grea
Spots from Woollen Cloths.
Fullers-earth, or tobacco-pipe clay, being put
-vet on an oil spot absorbs the oil as the water eva-
porates, and leaves the vegetable or animal fibres of
;loth clean, on being beaten or brushed out. When
ihe spot is occasioned by tallow or wax, it is neces-
sary to heat the par: cautiously by an iron or the
fire, while the cloth is drying. In some kinds ot
,ood>. blotting paper, bran, or raw starch, may ]
^d wiih advantage.
3. To take out Spots of Ink.
As soon as the accident happens, wet the place
with juice of sorrel or lemon, or with vinegar, and
ihe best hard white soap.
7 >C4. To take Iron-moulds out of Linen.
Hold the iron-mould on the cover of a tankard of
boiling water, and rub on the spot a little juice of
sorrel and a little salt, and when the cloth lias tho-
roughly imbibed the juice, wash it in lee.
j. To takeout S^ot- on Stlk.
Rub the spots with spirit of turpentine ; this spi-
exhaling, carries off with it the oil that causes
the spot.
03G. To take Wax out of Vthct of all Colours, ex-
cept Crimson.
Take a crumby wheaten loaf, cut it in two, toast
it before the fire, and, while \ery hot, apply it to
the part spotted with wax. Then apply another
piece of toasted bread hot as before, and continue
ihis applicaiion till the wax is entirely taken ou f t ,
SPOTS OR STAINS. 343
687. Process for preparing nitrous Acid for extract-
ing Stains, fyc.from tanned Leather.
Take half a pint of water, a quarter of a- pint of
nitrous acid, and half an ounce of salts of lemon.
Put the water in a bottle, and add the nitrous acid to
it, and afterwards the salts of lemon ; when the heat
which is caused by this mixture has subsided, add
half a pint of skimmed milk ; shake them occasion-
ally for three or four days, and the liquor will be
fit for use.
The application. With a brush and soft water
clean the surface of the leather from all grease,
dirt, &c. Next scrape on it a little Bath brick, or
white free sand ; add a little of the above liquor,
and with a brush scour it well, repeating this pro-
cess till the \vhole has been gone over ; then, with
a. clean sponge and water, wash off what remains
of the brick : leave the leather to dry gradually,
and it will be of a light new colour. If it is wished
to be darker, brush it with a hard brush a little be-
fore it is dry, and it will be of a rich brown tinge
688. To extract Grease Spots from Paper.
Scrape finely some pipe-clay, the quantity of
which may be easily determined on making the
experiment : lay thereon the sheet or leaf, and cov-
er the spot in like manner with the clay : cover
the whole with a sheet of paper ; then apply, for a
few seconds, a heated ironing box, or any substi-
tute adopted by laundresses. On using Indian rub-
ber to remove the dust taken up by the grease, the
paper will be found restored to its original degree
of whiteness and opacity.
689. To remove Spots of Grease from Books and
Prints.
After having gently warmed the paper stained
with grease, wax, oil, or any fat body whatever?.
34 'i SPOTS OR STAINS.
take out as much as possible of it, T)y means oi
blotting paper. Then dip a small brush in the es-
sential oil of well rectified spirit of turpentine, heat-
ed almost to an ebullition (for when cold it acts
only vr-ry weakly,) and draw it gently over hot IT
sides of the paper, which must be carefully kept
warm. This operation must be repeated as many
inifis as the quantity of the fat body imbibed by the
p per, or the thickness of the paper, may render
necessary. When the greasy subtance i.s entirely
noved, recourse may be had to the following
mrthod to restore the paper to its former whiteness,
winch i- rompK irly rc-siorod by the first pro-
Dip another brush in highly rectified spirit
of v. inc, draw it. in like manner, over the place
. b was s mid particularly round the
cd^ :, t border, that would still p.
sent - I5y employing these n , with
prop* ion, the pot will totally di ar ; the
.:.. its or _;:;ial whiteness; and if the
pr> - eci employed on a part written on
with .v,- 01- printed with printer's ink, it
will experience no alteration.
0. Tfj <ak, fyjls out nf Cloths, Stuffs. Silk, Cot-
ton, and Linen.
Tola two ti of spring water, pm in it a little
pot-ash, about the quantity of a walnut,
and:i lemon cut in slices ; mix the.sfj v/cil together,
and let it stand for twenty-four hours in the sun ;
.in it (;1T, and put the clear liquid up for. use.
Thi- water takes out all spots, whether pitch, grease,
or cil-, as well in hats, as cloths and stuffs, silk or
cotton, and linen. As soon as the spot is tak<
out. wash the place with fair water; for cloths of a
deep colour, add to a spoonful of the mixture as
much fair water as to weaken it.
Grease spots in cloth may be removed by us!
SPOTS OR STAINS.
.>o.3p and water with a tooth or nail brush, and af-
terwards wiping off the lather with the wet corner
of a towel. Essence of lemon, or pure spirit of
turpentine, will remove pitch from cloth, &c.
In woollen cloth, an easier method is to scrape
oil the hard tallow with the edge of a tea-spoon,
then rub the part briskly with a clean woollen rag,
shifting the rag as the part becomes dirty ; or, place
some blotting paper on the spot, press it with a hot
jron, occasionally moving the paper.
601. Remedy against the Effects of Ink, when just
spilled.
If the ink be spilled on a ruffle, or apron, &c
while you have it on, let one hold the spotted part
between his two hands over a bason and rub it,
while another pours water gradually from a decan-
ter upon it, and let a whole pitcher-full be used if
necessary ; or if the ruffie, apron, &c. be at liberty,
let it be dipped into a bason filled with water, and
there squeezed and dipped in again, taking care to
change the water in abundance every two or three
o **
jueezes. If the ink be spilled -on a green table
oarpet, it may immediately be taken out with a tea-
spoon so entirely, that scarcely any water at all
-nail be wanted afterwards, provided it was only
that instant spilled, as the down of the cloth pre-
vents the immediate soaking in of the ink, or of any
other liquor (except oil ;) but if it have lain some
ime, be the time ever so long, provided the place
be still wet, by pouring on it fresh clean water by
Hltle and little at a time, and gathering it up again-
>ach time with a spoon, pressing hard to squeeze it
out of the cloth into the spoon, you will at last bring
it to its natural colour, as if no such accident had
happened,
'_4'J !
RAFTER XXXII
TMBER.
52. To p: ' ' ' > ' : ' ; ' i i
It is censured, the neglect oi" }
,iriC5, which urow to forest trees,
.
cbcdt r.1. beir roots entering in
iic L-jrk rob the trees of much of their nourish nj tit ,
S.ey in a manner strangle their supporters, by im-
peding the circulation of their juices, and in time
Icsirov the trees. They should be torn up by the
- ots, for, if any part of them adhere to the tree,
'y will spread, as they obtain nourishment by
:heir adhering roots.
3. Whit-. r the Trunks of Trees rccom-
in^ one day up.on r (observes Mr. North-
more. who recommends this experiment) at my
friend"?, near Yarmouth, in the Isle of Wi^ht. I ,
several of the trunks of :.- - in his
/hard had bec-i covered \vi'.h \\ rash; on
. :jr..iring the reason he replied, that he had done
.t with a viiwto i:ccp offtne hares, and oti.rr ani-
- -ils, and that it \ '.tended not only \v ,at
good effect, butsev- . -jthcrs, for it made the rii
>mooth and compact, by closing up the cracks ; it
entirely destroyed tlic moss : and as the iTii.^s wash-
ed off the lime, it manured the roots. These- seve-
ral advantages derived from so simple ,: practice
deserve to be more generally known. Tlie white-
wash is made in the usual manner, with lime, a:
y bcapnlk . re, or oftpp.er, if necessary,
34'7
f
694. To care Wounds in 2 /.-.,,.
Wounds in trees are best cured by covering
them with a coat of common lead paint without tur-
pentine (forturpentine is poison to vegetation) in the
sun, on a fine dry day.
95. Mr. Forsytes Method of Curing Injuries and
Defects in Fruit and Forest Trees, published by
Command of his present Majesty.
Mr. Forsyth directs, in his Treatise on the Man-
agement and Culture of Fruit Trees. &c that all
the decayed, hollow, loose, rotten, injured, diseas-
ed, and dead parts, should be entirely cut away, till
the knife extend to the^sound or solid wood, so or
to leave the surface perfectly smooth. The com-
position which he has invented, and directed to be
then applied, is thus prepared : To twenty-five gal-
lons of human urine, and a peck of lime, add a suf-
ficient quantity of fresh cow-dung to bring it to the
consistency of paint. This composition should
then be laid on with a painter's brush, to the thick-
ness of about an eighth of an inch, and the edges
finished off as thin as possible. In the mean tirne 5
a tin box, the top of which is perforated with holesj
should be filled with a mixture of five parts of dry
pulverized wood ashes, and one part bone ashes
also reduced to powder ; from which it is to be scat-
tered or dredged over the surface of the composi-
tion : and, when it has been suffered to absorb hah"
an hour, an additional portion of the powder is to
be gently applied with the hand till the plaster ac-
quire a smooth and even surface. As the edges of
the plastered wounds grow up, care must be taken
to prevent the new wood from coming in contact
with that which is decayed : and, for this purpose,
it will be proper to cut out the latter, in proportion
as the growth of the former advances ; a hollow
space being left between the two, that the new wood
348 MBER.
may have sufficient space to extend and lili up the
cavity, thus forming, as it were, a new tree. In
consequence of this process, old and decayed pear-
trees, in the second summer after its being thus ap-
plied, are said to have produced fruit of the best
quality and finest flavour ; and, in the course of four
or five years, to have even yielded such abundant
crops, as young and healthy trees could not have
borne in twenty years. By the same method, too.
large and aged elm-trees, all the parts of which,
were broken, having only a very suall portion of
bark left on the trunk, shot forth stems from their
(ops to the height of more than thirty fret, within
six or seven veurs a!':er the composition had been
applied. It appears, '.hcrcfore, that both* forest
and fruit trees, however aged cr decayed, may be
preserved, and oven renovated , while the latter, in
particular, are rendered more fruitful than at any
earlier period of their growth. The health and
vegetation of trees in ^ncrM. Mr. Forsyth remarks,
may be greatly promoted, by scraping them, by
'titling away the cankered parts, and by washing
their stems annually in February or March : and he
recommends fresh soap suds, and the composition,
to be applied to the stems and branches of Iruit, for-
est, or timber trees of any kind, in the same man-
ner as the cciliiiir^ of rooms are white-washed ;
*
which, he asserts, will not only destroy the eggs of
insects that would br hatched during the spring and
summer, but also prevent the growth of moss. If
therefore, he adds, the same operation be repeated
in autumn, after the fall of the leaf, it will kill the
eggs of those numerous insects which would other-
wise be hatched during that season and the ensuing
winter. So that this process, in fact, not only con-
tributes to the nourishment of the tree, but actually
preserves its bark in ;i line healthful state.
TIMBER, 5-
606. To preserve Wood in damp Situations.
Two coats of the following preparation are to be
applied, after which the wood is subject to no dete
Tioration whatever from humidity. Twelve pounds
of resin are to be beaten in a mortar, to which three
pounds of sulphur and twelve pints of whale oil are
to be added. This mixture is to be melted over
the fire, and stirred during the operation. Ochre
reduced to an impalpable powder, by triturating it.
with oil, may then be combined in the proportion
necessary to give cither alig-hter or a darker colour
to the material. The first coat should be put oh
lightly, having been previously heated ; the second
may be applied in two or three days, and a third
after an equal interval, if from the peculiar damp-
"Hess of the situation it should be judged expedient.
Remark. It is highly probable (though Hhe ex-
periment has not been tried) that this composition
would be improved by adding a small portion of the
liquidleather, whichisnowcomrnorilyscld inLondon,
being the refuse of the purification of fish oil by tar
Where the work will bear the expense, and is
not exposed to a heat of more than 130 decrees of
Fahrenheit, the bast composition is the following :
Equal parts of turpentine (the fluid resin, not the
essential oil) bees'-wax, black resin and maltha, or
coal tar, boiled together till they cease to rise, that
; is, till the white cream or scum proceeding from the
separation of the essential oil disappears. Apply
it warm with a turpentine brush two or three coats
to cover the cracks or pores left by the brush. This
lute was first proposed by Chaptal, without the ad-
dition of the coal tar, which is a great improvement,
A piece of wood covered with three coats of it, and
inmersed for two years in water, was found to be
quite dry on cutting off the lute.
Take care not to allow water to fall into the
E E
350 TIMBER.
as it would make the hot materials explode. If the
composition catch fire, put on the cover directly,
and remove the pan for an instant from the fire.
697. Cause and Prevention of the Dry Rut.
The cause of the dry rot in wood is moisture ;
and to prevent well-dried timber from decaying
above or under ground, is by charring it well.
G98. Cure for the Dry Rot in Timber, so as to make
it indestructible by Water.
Melt twelve ounces of rosin in an iron pot; add
three gallons of train oil, and three or four rolls of
brimstone ; and when the brimstone and rosin are
melted and become thin, add as much Spanish
brown, or red and yellow ochre, or any other col-
our required, first ground fine with the same oil, as
will give the whole a shade of the depth preferred j
then lay it on with a brush as hot and thin as possi-
ble ; some time after the first coat is dried, give it
a second. This preparation will preserve planks
for ages, and keep the weather from driving through
brick work.
699. Method of trying the Goodness of Timber fur
Ship Building, used in the Arsenal at Vienna.
One person applies his ear to the centre of one
end of the trunk, while another, with a key, hits the
other end with a gentle stroke. If the tree be sound
and good, the stroke will be distinctly heard at the
other end, though the tree should be an hundred
feet or more in length.
700. To Season and render Green Timber immedi-
ately ft for Use.
After the timber has been cut down from the
stock, tnke off immediately both the outer bark an<!
also the inner rind, clean to the wood ; cut it up tc
the different purposes for which it may be wanted
TIMBER*
whether scantlings for roofings, joists, planks, deak,
or the like. After preparing them for their proper
use, steep them in lime water a few days, or pay
them over with a little of the lime, along with the
water. The hotter it is used after the lime is slack-
ed, so much the better. Lime water is made by
slacking the lime shells in water. This will an-
swer equally well for round trees. The author of
ihis method says, he has been, for a great number
of years past, used to take down and repair both
ancient and modern buildings, in which a good
deal of Scots fir had been used, but he never found
one inch either rotten or worm-eaten, where it was
in the least connected with lime, and kept dry ; on
the contrary, he found it more hard and firm than
when first used.
%* Some observations and recipes, applicable to
Trees in general, may also be found in CHAP, xxv*
SECT. v. Nos. 603, 509. 511, 512, 514, 516, 517
pp. 260 263.
TRAVELLERS, (Hints to) see CHAP. xxvi.
547, 548. />p. 279, 280,
VARNISHES,
CHAPTER XXXIII.
FFhe following original and excellent Obsc-i"-;>
oji Varnishes werejirst published by Tho. Coop
i^q. of Northumberland, (North America) in i
American edition of Dr. Willictfs u Domestic En~
cyclopedia."]
701. Observations on Varnishes.
The liquids in which the substances proper for
making varnishes are generally dissolved are lin-
seed, nut oil, sun-flower oil, oil of turpentine, and
spirit of wine. Hence the subtances themselves.
ure all of the class of rosins. Nut oil is not often
used, though being of a clearer colour than linseed
oil, it might sometimes deserve the preference,
The other essential oils, as rosemary, bergamotte,
&c. are too dear, and do not dry.
The substances commonly employed are such as.
fqrm a transparent solution with the solvents above
mentioned-, and ;<re not liable lo be a flee ted by
moisture 'of! any kind : since none of the gums, or
gum-re.s-fns, are fit for the purpose.
The*Jesins usually employed are : copal, amber,
mastic,*randarac, lac (both stick lac and seed !;
pine turpentine from Chios or Venice, common
white rosin, dragon's blood, gum-elemi, asphakum,
or Jew's-pitch, and common pitch. To \vhicli may
be added, elastic gum, or ca-out-chouc^ though this.
? only u. c od at present for
VARNISHES. 353
Oil of turpentine deadens the colour of paints:
the varnishes of amber and copal brighten them.
Linseed oil is procured by grinding linseed in
mills for that purpose. It is of a brownish colour*
Before it can be used it must be made drying. The
reason that oil will not dry without preparation is
either that it contains a quantity of uncombined
mucilaginous substance, or a quantity of uncom-
bined acid, or both. I have not seen this any where
ascertained ; MF. Watt told me it was acid.
The common method of making drying oil, is to
put about half an ounce of litharge to each quart. of
the oil : boil it not hastily or violently, but with a
moderate and equal (ire for about two hours, scum=
ming it. If it be boiled too hard it will, be burnt,
and become brown. Let this rest till ail sediment
has perfectly subsided,, then separate the clean oil,
which will grow the clearer and the better for keep-
ing. When it is made perfectly drying, it will have
a scum formed at the top. Perhaps- white lead
would be better to use than litharge.
Poppy oily is. from the seeds of the common pop-
Nut oil, is the oil expressed in the same manner
from walnut. It is made drying in the same man-
ner as linseed. oil : and being clearer, is preferable
for colourless varnishes. ,
To make boiled linseed oil colourless, take three
or four gallons ofoil : add to it about two quarts of
line clear sand, and three or four gallons of boiling
water : agitate it for half an hour, separate the oil ?
and repeat the process with fresh water.
Oil of turpentine is produced by the distillation
of common turpentine : the residuum is rosin.
Copal, is a resin produced from: certain trees in
New Spain. The best is the clearest, and such as
will glaze a hot tobacco-pipe without blistering.
Amber (Karabe, succinum) is a substance, but..
RN1SHES,
uhc j -iC or animal is not quite detennin
xl, found upon the sea-shores of Polish Prussia. It
3 been by some thought a resin from trees ; by
jthcr-. a fossil ; by o'hers, the indurated excrement
f !.hc whale.
M<t?tic, is a resin produced from a srnnll tree call-
"d the Lentisk, growing ID the isle ofChio. The
bark is cut, and the juice exudes.
Sandarac, is n resin produced in the same way
from a species of juniper, growing on the coast of
Africa.
Lac. gum-lac, seed-lac, is produced on cert;
trees of the fig kind, in the mountainous parts of UK
East Indies, by the perforation of insects in tl
,k. It has been by some thought a kind of wax
duced by the insects thcmsclv.
T.irjjt-.'.t.f.t i^ collected in the Creek islc c . by
rmtking an inri-Iori in the fir-trees : the juice is tur-
pentine. Venae [Chian] turpentine is brouu
in large earthen jai
Common rosin, the residuum of turpentine, a:
tilling it to obtain the essential oil.
Dragon's-blood, a resin of a red colour produced
from certain trees in the East Indies and Madeira,
JIH! the Canary Islands.
Gum-Eltmi, a resin, the produce of trees growing
in tin Kast Indies and Brazil.
Asphaltum, Jew's-pitch. This is a native bitu-
w\i found in various parts of the world, of a black-
ish-brown colour.
Common Pitch is the residuum after the distilla-
tion of tar.
Elttstic Gum, a substance from the TE a si Indies
and the Brazils, having all the properties of insr
sated bird-lime, or of the juice of the Mislctoe.
It dissolves in petroleum and oil of turpentine.
VARNISHES*
702. General Observations on making Varnishes of
all Kinds.
1st. As the substances that form varnishes are
extremely inflammable, they ought only to be made
MI a brick or stone room with a floor of the same
materials. They should be cautiously kept from a
fire that flames ; nor should a lighted candle come
near them ; for the vapour, particularly of oil of
turpentine and spirit of wine, will catch fre at some
distance, by means of fame of any kind. The opera =
tor should always have by him a woollen cloth or
small blanket in a tub of water to cover the vessel
containing the ingredients in case of their taking
fire. They can only be put out by thus excluding
the air,
2J. The substances should be freed, as much as
possible, from impurities of every kind, particularly
sahdarac, and preserved free from dust. The ut-
most cleanliness, in and about the vessels, is essen-
;ially necessary to good colour, and transparency.
3d. The substances, after being broken into pie-
ces, freed from impurities and heterogeneous sub-
stances, should be put by themselves in the melting
pot. If reduced to powder or very small pieces,
they slick to the sides of the pol, ancl burn and hurt
the colour.
4th. All the resins should be kept in vessels well
stopt and closed from dust. So of the oils and spirit.
5th. When the varnish is made, it should be left
ome time for the dregs to settle : then be poured
off clear, and then be filtered through silk or lawn.
6th. For goods that are not to be exposed to the
heat of the sun, the spirit varnishes will answers
but as sandarac and mastic .will melt in the sun, the
oil varnishes of copal and amber are the most pro-
per.
7th. Glazed earthen vessels are better than iron :
copper is soluble in oil, and therefore is not to be
VARNISHES.
used. The most scrupulous cleanliness is nccessarv
to success.
703. Of Varnishes with Spirit of Wine.
Copal-spirit Varnish. This receipt is kept a grcr,:
secret. Mr. Henry, of Manchester, in England, anu
the Sieur Watin, at Paris, make it. Henry's is ra
ther coloured.
I have made it. by dissolving copal in a warm
place, in any of the following essential oils : berga-
motte, lavender, orange, lemon, rosemary, of which"
the la.it is the cheapest ; dilute it with twice the
quantity of highly rectified spirit of wine, if the oil
'rosc-mary is much adulterated with oil of turpen-
tine, it will not succeed. Oil of turpentine precipi-
tates the copal ; but .by- twelve hours digestion (in
a small retort with a lamp heal) of oil of turpentine
on copal, I succeeded in making a perfectly colour--
less varnish, ,
701. Colourless Spirit I 7 arni/i of Mastic and San-
darac.
To one quart of rectified spirit add two ounces o*
mastic, in drops, and six ounces of sandarac ; when
we'll dissolved, add four ounces of pure Venice tur-
pentine.
If it is wanted to be harder, substitute two ounces
of gum-lac, half an ounce of gum-elemi, and two
ounces of clear white rosin instead of the mastic ar.J-
turpentine. But the colour will not be so good.
The first is proper for toi!et-boxes, &c. the last for
cane, chairs, furniture, &c. which am much hand-
led. '
705. Varnish for VioPitis and Musical Instruments.
Spirit of wine one quart, sandarac four ounce?,
guoi-lacca and mastic, each two ounces, gum-elemi
one ounce ; when all is melted, add two ounces ot
turpentine,
VARMSHL:. 3y T
0. Gold-colour Faruish.
Bruise separately. four ounces of lacca, as much
gamboge, as murh dragon's blood, as much annatto ?
and one ounce of saffron. Put each of these into a
quart of spirit of. wine. Digest them in the sun or
in a moderate heat for a fortnight, mix them with
clear varnish of sand a vac according to the tint you
want. Four ounces of aloes dissolved in a quart of
spirit will also be a good addition to the above in-
gredients, and give you more command over the tint
you may require.
707.- General Observations on Spirit Varnishes,
1. A water-bath is the proper heat for spirit
varnishes, A sand-bath is liable to be too hot, and
embers or coals dangerous.
When the water once boils, keep it boiling till
the substances are dissolved*. This you will find by
stirring it with a glass, or white wood spatula, or
3 tobacco-pipe. By dissolving salt in the water, you
may increase the heat. When your substances are
not quite dissolved, never put them on the fire a se-
cond time to finish the solution.
Never fill the vessels but about three parts full.
2.. Gum-elemi gives consistence to the varnish,
but should be used in small proportions. Brilliancy
is given by the Venice and Chio turpentine.
3, The turpentine should always be melted se-
parately, when the substances are dissolved : it
should be melted in a small quantity of spirit of
wine, and then added. After the turpentine is add-
ed, give the walcr-baih six or eight boils, and then
take it off, and strain it through a very fine sieve or
fine linen, It will be still clearer by standing and re-
pose.
4. The general proportion of sandarac is about
ten or twelve ounces to a quart of spirit, and so of
the other gums : if others are substituted, the s
358 VARNISHES*
arac must be proportionally diminished. The s
rits of wine should fire gunpowder.
5. If you want red or black varnishes, dragon's-
blood and vermilion, Jew's pitch and lamp-black,
will answer your purpose.
6. Seed-lac makes harder varnish than she:
about ten ounces to the quart is enough.
703. Oil Varnishe&t General Observations on C\l
Varniikcs,
I. Copal and amber are the t\vo principal sub-
stances for oil varnishes ; as each of them possesses
the property of making a hard and transparent var-
nish, they need not be mixed ; but copal should be
reserved for the lighter coloured varnishes. Ambrr,
j j
however, is tougher than copal, and a little of it cer-
tainly improves copal varnisfa, if the tinge of colouc
is no objection.
C J. It requires a stronger fire to dissolve copal and
amber when mixed with oil, than alone; a strong
heat hurts the colour. Melt therefore these resins
by themselves, broken into small pieces ; employ
no more heat than is necessary to melt them ;,
when melted, add to them the hot linseed oil by
degrees, stirring as you pour it in ; then give a few
boilings lo incorporate the whole.
3. If you have more than one resin to add, melt
the hardest first, otherwise the most fusible will
burn before the other is melted.
1. A sand-bath, or bright coals that do not
flame, is the proper heat for oil varnishes; but
give no more heat than is barely necessary to melt
them.
5 The vessels should be glazed earthenware
with a cover ; and new ones used, for copal varnish
especially, every time.
G. When the oil and the resin are incorporated
well stirred together, add your hot oil cf
-pentine ; this should be about double the quantity
of th<? oil employed ; but the oil should not be boil-
ing hot .when the turpentine is poured in, otherwise
it may catch fire. Stir it.
7. Filter or strain the varnish ; then let it rest at
least forty-eight hours. The sediment will do for a
coarser or more coloured varnish of the same kind .
the oil mixed with the sediment will tarnish the co-
lour at the second melting.
709. Copal Varnish.
Melt slowly one pound of copal ; add half a pinrt
of boiling drying oil : when incorporated, add one
pint of oil of turpentine made hot. You may add
-from half a pint to three pints -of boiling drying oil,
according to the -consistence required.
710. Another.
Melt in a perfectly clean vessel, by a very slow
beat, a pound of clear cqpal : to this add from one
to two quarts of drying linseed oil ; when the mate-
rials are thoroughly mixed, remove the vessel from
the fire, and keep constantly stirring it till most of
the heat is gone : then add one pound of oil of tur-
pentine. Srain the varnish through a piece of close
linen, and keep it for use. The older it is, the more
drying does k become.
711. Another.
M. Carendeffez, formerly of St. Domingo, and at
present resident at New-York, finds that an ounce
of good sulphuric aether, and an ounce of copal in
gross powder, mixed together in a well stopped bot-
tle, and placed in a moderate s^nd-heat or water
bath, form a perfect solution. Mr. C. remarks, that
the solution, though not very cheap, affords a fine
and brilliant varnish, and the process is so easy a^
to be repeated by any person though of very mode
rate skill-
S60 VAUX1SHES.
712. Gold-colour Varnish, or Lacker*
Take eight ounces of amber, two ounces of lac-
ca ; melt them ; add eight ounces of drying oil : then
add oil of turpentine coloured with gamboge, annat-
to, saiTron and dragon's-blood, according to the
tinge you want.
7!3. Black Japan.
?\Icll eight ounces of amber: melt "(separately
from the amber) four ounces of asphaltum- and four
ounces rrsiu : when rni-lttd. add eight ounces o{
boiling oil. and then sixteen ounces of oil of turpen-
tine; then stir in from half an ounce to one ouncr
lamp-black, and give it another boil or two.
7i<i. < 'on mon I'^raish.
One pou::;l of ru.-in. one ounce gum-elemi, ei-
MICCS drvii :g'-'- ^nd sixteen ounces oil of-turpen-
.nO.
715. Fai'h' :h Turpentine u!one.
Oil of lurp'.-r,i::i r ' v. ill dissolve any of-these roins
c< ft ' .-r-p-il ai.d amber; but it does not ma4<e so
good var. 'n mixed with boiled oil.
71 . Common Turpentint I'uniiyh
Is frequently made by dissolving one pound of
turpentine, or about ten ounces of rosin, in oil of
turpentine alone.
717. Gum I "//<.'>/.
Ci:t ;he g^m into small pieces, and Jigc-st it with
thirty-two p:irJs of: ure oil of turpentine lortwcniy-
1'our h'Ujrs in a warm plare. Ro^cinai'y, lavender,
.M.i o her >-^t'ntial oils ;,l.-o dis.solvr it. So 'K;.
, ;. li' - ru by boiling in water,
more in a s;.*!j'.ion of alum, it may bu- joiii
^"18. Famishes of Gums.
Gutr.- . M-nbir tr
5.
VARNISHES. 361
in water; or the first in brandy. Ichthyocolla
"(isinglas) is best dissolved in brandy or whiskey.
719. Elastic Gum,
SizeFrom diluted glue; from white leather cut-
tings.
Fish Size Boiled eel skins.
^20. Martin's Copal Varnish.
In a large gallon earthen pot, with a cover like
chocolate pot, melt four ounces Chio turpentine :
"when fluid, pour in eight ounces of amber powder-
ed ; set it on the fire a quarter of an hour, Take off
the pot ; add to it one pound of pounded copal, four
or more of turpentine, and one gill of warm oil of
turpentine. Increase the heat a little ; when it has
been on the fire half an hour, take it off, stir the in-
gredients, adding two ounces of the finest and
whitest colophony or rosin. Set it again on the Fire,
and increase the heat till the whole is quite fluid,
-Remove the pot; let the heat subside a little; have
ready twenty-four ounces (about one pint and a
quarter) of drying linseed oil, poppy, or nut oil ;
pour it boiling hot by degrees into your gums and
stir them well. When mixed, set it again on the fire,
"stirring it till it boils up ; then take it off and add*a
quart of turpentine made hot ; stir and -give it one
boil more ; then add another pint of turpentine
made hot ; stir it well, give it one more boil, and it
is enough. Strain it ; if thicker than linseed oil, thin
it with oil of turpentine. Let it stand a month be-
fore it is used. It should be made in an open yard,
for the frequent practice is very unwholesome.
Great danger will attend the addition of copal, as
the same heat which would be required to dissolve
the copal would volatilize the turpentine, and take
fire if the vapour were directed to the flame*
F r
- >-2 VARNISHES.
721. Another Varnish.
Molt right ounces of C'liio turpcn . [ our ii otic
pound of powdered amber by degrees, stirring it all
IPG while: set it on the lire for half an hour, then
i *
;.i Jd two ounces of white rosin ; stop the cover clo-.
:.id increase the fire till the whole is r.iehed. To
this acid one pound of hot drying oil; and then by
degrees a quart of oil of turpentine. Amber can on-
ly be dissolved clear, by melting it with some less
utinous gum. Same process for copal varnish.
Dom. Enc. vol. v. (Philadelphia) p. 23.3.
1'Z 1. I ' for coloured Drawings and Prints.
! ;e of Canada balsam one ounce, spirit of tur-
o ounce;! ; mix them together. Before
i. is composition is applied, the drawing or print
b!:< :i!J be sized wi'li a solution of isinglass in w,i-
ler ; and when dry, apply the varnish with a came
ir bruih.
72,3. To r/7c ' faster Casts or Models.
Take about a quarter of an ounce avoirtfupoise,
of the finest white soap, grate it small, and put it in-
to a new glazed earthen vessel, with an English pint
of water ; hold it over the fire till the soap is dissolv-
ed, then add the same quantity of bleached wax cut
into small pieces: as soon as the whole is incorpo-
rated, it is fit for use.
JMode of application. Dry the model well at thu
'fire, suspend it by a thread, and dip it in the var-
nish ; take it out, and a quarter of an hour after dip
it in again ; let it stand for six or seven days, then,
\vitha bit of muslin rolled sokly round your fii , ;
rub the model gently, and this will produce a bril-
liant gloss; but this part of the operation must be
done with great care and a light hand, as the co
of varnish is thin*
7i>4. Another Way.
Take skim milk, from which the crenrn has been
carefully taken off, and with a camel's hair penc'l
lay over the cast till it holds out, or will imbibe no
more ; shake or blow off any that remains or\the sur-
face, and lay it in a place free from dust ; and when
it is dry, it will look like polished marble.
N. B. This last mode answers equally well with
the former, but will not resist the weather.
725. Varnish for Earthenware. -
To make it white, glass and soda in equal pro-
portion must be pounded together, very tine, care-
fully sifted, and well mixed. This mixture must
snext be exposed to a strong heat till it is rendered
very dry. It is after that to be put into vessels which
have been already baked ; it will then be melted,
and the varnish is made* It may be applied Lithe
usual manner,
726. French soft Varnish for Engravers.
One ounce of virgin's wax, one ounce of asphal-
turn or Greek pitch, half an ounce of common pitch,
and a quarter of an ounce of Burgundy pitch.
N. B. The celebrated Vivares, the landscape
engraver, always used this varnish, in preference
to any other,
727o Varnish for Furniture.
To one part of virgin's white wax add eight parts
of oil of petroleum; lay a slight coat of this mix-
ture on the wood with a badger's brush, while a little
warm ; the oil will then evaporate, and leave a thin
coat of wax, which should afterwards be polished
with a coarse woollen cloth.
728. A Varnish for Toilet Boxes, Cases,
Dissolve two ounces of gum-mastic, and eight
364 VARX2SHE3.
ounces of gum-sandarac, in a quart of alcohol : t'r
odd four ounces of Venice turpentine.
729. Preparation of the true Copal \ r arr.ish.
Take two parts of gum copal, reduced to a n
powder ; wash it repeatedly in water, to free it from
the woody fibres ; then introduce it into a flask, and
pour it over four parts of pure oil of rosemary : di-
gest the mixture in a gentle heat for three clays, 01
longer; after which, add as much highly rectified
spirits of wine as is J:emed necessary, and suffer it
1-- remain undisturbed, until the impurities subside ,
then decant the varnish.
730. To make Varnish for Oil Paintings.
According to the number of your pictures, take
whites of the same number of eggs, and to each
picture toko the bigness of a hazel-nut of white su-
gar-candy, dissolved, and mix it with a tea-spoon-
iul c,f brandy; beat the whites of your eggs to .T.
; then let it s.ttle; take the clear, put to it
K and su:v.r, and varnish over your pic-
t'u\ ; with it; this i? much better than any other
.. as it is easily washed off when your picture-
want clcas. <).
1. T- White r h.
Dissolve gurn-saticVirac and gum-mastic :
of wine; bavc it to sciiir- for two days; then str.i
through a linen cloth, let it stand for some tit;.
pour oil' the clear liquid, and botlle it for
73 Another, by Dr. U".
Take of gum-sandarac an ounce and a half, m:
lie, in drcps. half an ounrc : gMii-ciemi, a quartei
of an ounce; oil of spikelaveuder, a quarter of an
ounce ; put them into a half-pint phial, and fill ituj
\vith best spirits of wine. Let it stand in rather a
\varm place, till all the gums are dissolved, and then
VARNISHES. 365
pour off the varnish into a clean phial, and it will be
ready for use.
733. A Famish for preserving Insects, Fruits, fyc.
Take one pound of rectified spirits of wine, and
two ounces of white amber; add thereto an ounce
of white sandarac and white mastic, an ounce
and a half of Venice turpentine; -digest the whole
in baneo marias during forty-eight hours, to an en-
tire dissolution ; take out the intestines of the insect
you have a mind to preserve: lay them for some
days in rectified spirits of wine, mixed with clarified
sugar-candy ; afterwards besmear them with your
varnish till they are transparent as glass; in this
manner you will preserve them a long time.
This varnish succeeds equally with vegetables
O
and fruits, which never ret or decay when not af-
fected by the exterior air as has been observed with,
regard to cherries, which are preserved perfectly
well, by besmearing them with melted white wax,
734. Method of preparing Lin?; zed Oil f-'urniih.
One pound of well pulverized and sifted litharge,
T ounces of finely pounded white vitriol, and one
quart of linseed oil. Put these ingredients into an
iron pan of such a size that it may be only half full ;
mix them well together, and boil them till the mois-
ture is evaporated, which may be known by a pel-
licle being formed on the surface, or by the barrel of
a quill bursting when thrust to the bottom of the
boiling varnish. Then take it from the fire and pour
off the clear liquid, taking care to keep back the
T hick part, which bos deposited itself at the bot-
tom. While boiling, it must be stirred several times
round, that the litharge may not fall to the bottom ;
but stir it constantly, else superfluous litharge will
be dissolved, and the varnish become too thick.
The composition of amber varnish consists of
half a pound of melted or roasted amber, one pound
' : /CO VARNISH;
and a half of linseed oil varnish, and two pounds ui
urpentine oil. The amber and linseed oil varnish
re to be mixed together id a deep cast-iron pan, of
>uch a size as to be only one-third full, and to be
icept over a slow fire till the amber is dissolved^
which may be known by its swelling up; the ope-
rator therefore must have at hand a large copper, or
iron vessel, that the varnish may be held over it in
case it should rise above the sides of the pan, and to
prevent the loss that would thereby be occasioned.
When the varnish is dissolved, the pan must be
taken from the fire ; and when the mixture has cool-
ed, the turpentine oil is to be poured into it, contin-
ually -:lirrin^ it. Then let it stand sometime, that
the coarse undissolved particles may deposit them-
selves at the bottom ; after which pour off the clear
varnish, and, having strained it through a piece of
linen, put it in bottles for use.
In boiling the varnish, care must be taken that it
may not boil over, or catch fire. Should this happen
tn be the cose, it must not be extinguished by wa-
ter; for this mode would occasion such a spatter-
ing, that the operator would be in danger of having
his face bespattered with the boiling varnish. The
bcrt method, therefore, is to cover the vessel in such
a manner as to exclude the air, and for this purpose
to have at hand a piece of wood, plate of iron, or
any thing else that may cover the vessel and ex-
tinguish the llame.
73 j. Varnish for Pales and ccarse Wood Work.
Take any quantity of tar, and grind it with as
much Spanish brown as it will bear, without render-
ing it too thick to be used as a paint or varnish, and
then spread it on the pales, or other wood, as soon
as convenient, for it quickly hardens by keeping.
This mixture must be laid on the wood to be var-
nished, by a large bru^h, or house-painter's tool ;
VARNISHES. .367
and the work should then be kept as free from dust
as possible, till the varnish be thoroughly dry. It-
will, if laid on smooth wood, have a very good
gloss, and is an excellent preservative of it against
moistare ; on which account, as well as its being
cheaper, it is far preferable to painting, not only
for pales, but for weather-boarding, and all other
kinds of wood-work for grosser purposes. Where
the glossy brown colour is not liked, the work may
be made of a greyish brown, by mixing a small pro-
portion of white lead, or whitening, or ivory black,,
with the Spanish brown,
736. To make Gold Varnish.
This ingenious process, which is at present em-
ployed throughout Europe, in gilding wooden
frames, coaches, and various articles, and which
was formerly used in the preparation of the now old-
fashioned leather tapestry, was invented towards
the end of the sixteenth century. The composition
is as follows : -
Take gum-lac, and having freed it from the filth
and bits of wood with which it is mixed, put it into
a small linen bag, and wash it, in pure water, till
the water becomes no longer reef, then take it from
the bag and suffer it to dry. When it is perfectly
dry, pound it very fine, because the finer it is pound-
ed it will dissolve the more readily. Then take
four parts of spirits of wine ? and one of gum, re-
duced, as before directed, to an impalpable powder,
so that for every four pounds of spirits you may
have one of gum ; mix these together ; and, having
put them into an alembic, graduate the fire so that
the gurn may dissolve in the spirits. When dis-
solved, strain the whole through a strong piece of
linen cloth ; throw away what remains in the cloth,
as of no use, and preserve the liquor in a glass bot-
tle, closely corked. This is the gold varnish which
may be employed for gilding any kind of woods
368 VARNISHES.
When you wish to use it, you must, in order thru
the work may be done with more smoothness, em-
ploy a brush made of the tail of a certain quadruped
called Vari, well known to those who sell colours
for painting; and with this instrument dipped in the
liquor, wash over gently, three times, the wood
which has been silvered. You must, however, re-
member, every time you pass the brush over the
wood, to let it dry : for, in so doing, your work will
be extremely beautiful, and have a resemblance to
the finest gold.
737. Varnish for Drawings^ Prints, 4' r ' &'?
Uoil four ounces n: in small pieces, m
,uart < . pirita of wine, expose it to
the air, n wash over the print or
drawing (H shou! revious4younied) and
let it . i h it. again at a
small distance from th< it will bitter, whirh
repeal, two or th . go twice ty\ r with
the loll ^>h Take of gum-sanda-
auu c equal parts : dissolve them in
spii. ; - !rt :hcm scttic two days, then strain
:lif n cloth, and pour the clear liquor into
otile t'jr i.-.ae.
'}. To make a Lacquer for Bras?.
Takr eight .:.i,ces of spirits of wine, and or.r
ounce oi annatt' 1 brui ; mix this in a bottle
bv If; then lake oiiC anboge, and mix
it' in like mariner, to the same quantity -irits :
-:o bir.isecl saiiYoa, stt'j-.il in spirits, to nearly
th ^proportion. Aiu:r this take seed^Iac var-
quantity you \ and you may bright-
en it to your mind by the abmc mixture: if it be
too yellow, acid a litile more from tinatta bottle ;
and if it be toortd, add a liitlc more fj'oin the gam-
boge, or saiiion bottle: if too .str'-nu:, add a little spir-
ofwinc. &c. Thus you may temper lacquer or
to what degree of perfection you {
I
YARN' IS3E3.
739. To make, Chinese Varnish,
ike of gum-lac in grains four ounces : put it into
a strong bottle, with a pound of good spirits of wine,
and add about the bulk of a haze! nut of camphor ;
ajlow them to mix in summer in the sun, or in win-
ter on hot embers, for twenty-four hours, shaking
the bottle from time to time ; pass the whole through
a fine cloth, and throw away what remains upon it.
Then let it settle for twenty-four hours, and yea
* */ m
will find a clear part in the upper part of the bottle,
which you must separate gently, and put into anoth-
er phial, and the remains will serve for the first lay-
ers.
740. Varnish to prevent the Rays of the Sun from
passing through the Glasses of Windows.
Pulverize gum-tragacanth, and put it to dissolve
for twenty-four hours in whites of eggs well beaten^
Lay a coat of this on the panes of your windows
with a soft brush, and let it dry.
741. Seed-Lac Varnish.
Take spirit of wine one quart ; put it into a wide-
mouthed bottle, and add thereto eight ounces of
seed-lac, which is large grained, bright, and clear,
free from dirt and sticks : let it stand two days or
longer, in a warm place^ often shaking it, strain
it through a flannel into another bottle, and it is fit
for use.
742. Shell-Lac Varnish.
Take good spirits of wine one quart, eight ounces
of the thinnest and most transparent shell-lac s
which, if melted in the flame of a candle, will draw
out in the longest and finest hair ; mix and shake
these together, and let them stand in a warm place
for two clays, and it is ready for use. This varnish
is softer than that which is made of seed-lac, there-
' ; ; > P.-JISDIE- FOR: DESTRCVIXG VLTOi !
fore " so .is:-lVi!. but may l;o mix
. -[li.-iiiing. v;ood, &c.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
; pjcAcus : .. 'OR i .
7b > 7 . '\^ .!//..
Ants that frequct.t houses or gardens may I
by taking flower of brimstone half a pound,
and pot-ash four ounces : sot (hern in an iron or
earthen nan over the tire till dissolved and united ;
I
afterwards beat them to a powder, and infuse a lit-
tle of this powder in water ; and wherever you sprin-
:-:lc it the ants will die, or fly the place.
744. To destiny Jnis.
<"< vc sublimate, mixed well wiili sugar, has
proved a mortal f)oison to them, and is the me--:;
crual way oi" c!cstrov ; pj- lhe6 insects.
7-jr To (Icst.-oy P:
The mode of destroying beetles is when the :
put out at bed- time, to lay a little treacle on a
pirce of wood. :..1oat. in a broad pan of water.
These vrrr-iin are so fond of treacle, that they will
oven struggle to gain it in Jit- agonies ^ death,
71G. Another Method.
Take some small lumps of unsiacked lime, and
put into the chinks or holes from which 'hey issue,
it will effectually destroy them ; or it may be scat-
tcred on the ground, if they are rr.or-':
than in. their hole?
REMEDIES FOR DESTROYING TERMiNo
. For destroying Bugs and Worms in Wood.
An eminent physician has discovered that by
Tubbing wood with a solution of vitriol, insects and
bugs are prevented from harbouring therein. When
the strength of this remedy is required to be increas-
ed, there need only.be boiled some coloquintida ap-
ples in water, in which, afterwards, vitncl is dis^
solved, and the bedstead, with the wood about
--them, and the wainscoting being anointed with the
liquor, will be ever after clear of worms or bugs,
The wall may be likewise rubbed with the compo-
sition, and some of it may be dropped into the holes
v/here these insects are suspected to be harboured*
As to the walls, they require only to be -washed over
with the vitriol water.
748. To drive away Crickets.
These troublesome ' insects, from a superstitious
notion that they bring good luck, are frequently
preserved, Those who -wish to have them remov-
ed will find the smoke of charcoal destroy them,
and loud sounds :drive them -away. Cock roaches
are like wise destroyed by the smoke of charcoal.
749. To destro-i/ Crickets.
Mix some roasted apple -with a little white arsen-
ic powdered, and put a little of this mixture into the
holes or cracks in which the crickets are ; they
will eat it and perisho
7jQ. Methods of stopping the Ravages of the Cater-
pillars from Shrubs, Plants, and Vegetables.
Take a chafing-dish-, with lighted charcoal, and
place it under the branches of the tree, or bush,
whereon are the caterpillars ; then throw a little
brimstone on the coals. This, however, must be
done only in very small quantities, lest the sulphur
destroy the plants. The vapour of the sulphur,
372 REMEDIES FOR DESTROY LNCJ'
%vhich is mortal to these insects, and the suffocat-
ing fixed air arising from the charcoal, will not on-
ly destroy all that are on the tree, but will effectu-
ally prevent the shrubs from being, that season, in-
' Tested with them. A pound of sulphur will clear m
many trees as grow on sever?.! acres.
Another method of driving these insects off fruit-
O
trees is to boil together a quantity of rue, worm-
wood, and common tobacco, of each equal parts..
in common water. The liquor should be very
strong. Sprinkle this on* the leaves and you-
"tranches every morni/; . J evening during t 1
t me the fruit is ripening.
In the Economical Journal of France, the follow
ing method of guarding cabbages from the depre-
dations of caterpillars is stated to be infallible, and
may, perhaps, be equally serviceable against those
which infest other vegetables, t'ow with hemp all
iheb<-r- : - , uf the id wherein the cabbage
planted : and, although the neighbourhood be in-
fested with caterpillars, the space inclosed by the
hemp will be perfectly free, and not one of the
vermin will approach it.
751. Liquor for destroying Caterpillar^ slut:, and
other Insects*
Take a pound and three quarter: of soap, the
same quantity of flowers of sulphur, two pound.-; of
champignons, or puff balls, and fifteen gallons of
water. When the whole has been well mixed, by
the aid of a grnllo hrat, sprinkle the insects with
the liquor, and it will instantly kill them.
For destroying Caterpillars on Cooseb'r-
Take one Scots pint (two English quart-) r.f io-
cco liquor (which may be made, where it cannot
purchased, by infusing any kind of tobacco in
water till all the slrr:i,: ih be cxirorted) which t!
REMEDIES FOR DESTROYING VERMIN. 37$
tMamifacturers of tobacco generally sell for destroy-
ing bugs, andmixthem with about Jne ounce of alum ;
and when the alum is sufficiently dissolved, put this
mixture into a plate, or other vessel, wide and
long enough to admit of a brush, like a weaver's
brush, being dipped into it ; and as early in the
season as you can perceive the leaves of the bush-
es to be in the least eaten, or .the eggs upoii the
leaves (which generally happens about the end of
May) and which will be found in great numbers ou
the veins of the leaves on their under side ; you are
then to take the preparation, or liquor, and after
dipping the brush into it, and 'holding -the brush
towards the under side of the bush, which is to be
raised and supported by the hands of another per-
son ; and by drawing your hand gently over the
Iiairs of the brush, the above liquid is sprinkled,
and falls in small drops on the leaves; the conse-
quence of which is, if the eggs are there, they
never come forward ; and if they have already gen-
erated worms, in a minute or two after the liquor
touches them, they either die or sicken, so as to
fall off the bush; at least they do so upon giving it
a little shake. If, upon their thus falling oft', they
shall not appear completely dead, the bush should
be held up, and either a little boiling water from a
watering-pot thrown over them, or a bruise given
them by a spade or shovel ; or the earth, where they
lie, turned over with a hoe. This preparation
does not in the least injure the bushes.
.753. To preserve Flowers, Leaves, and Fruit, from
Caterpillars,
These depredators are destroyed by oils, which
close the lateral pores by which they breathe. For
this purpose it is advised, that on the approach of
spring, a cloth, clipped in train oil, be laid on such
G G
REMEDIES FOR DESTROYING VERMIN.
parts of the tree in which there is the least appear-
ance of them.
754. Method to destroy or drive away Earth Wurms,,
and other Insects, liurtful to Fields and Gardens.
Three parts of quicklime, newly made, and two
parts of soap-boilers lye or potash dissolved in wa-
ter, will produce a somewhat milky liquor sufficient-
ly caustic, and highly hostile and poisonous to earth
worms and other small animals ; for, as soon as it
touches any part of their bodies, it occasions in
them violent symptoms of great uneasiness. If this
liquor be poured into those holes, in which the
earth worms reside under ground, they immediate-
ly throw themselves out as if driven by some force,
and, after various contortions, languish and die.
If the leaves of plants or fruit trees, frequented by
the voracious caterpillars, which are so destruc-
tive to them, be sprinkled over with this liquor,
these insects suddenly contract their bodies and
.p to the ground. For, though nature has de-
fended them tolerably well by their hairy skins,
from any thing that might .injure their delicate bo-
dies ; yet, as soon as they touch with their feet or
mouths the leaves which have been moistened by
this liquor, they become, as it were, stupified, in-
stantly contract themselves, and fall down.
755. To destroy Earwigs mid Wood Lice.
A very simple way of ensnaring them, and by
which- they may be taken alive in great quantities,
is to place four inch cuts of reeds, bean haulm, or
strong wheat straw, among the branches, and also
lay a number on the ground, at the bottom of the
wall. In these the insects take refuge at day-
break, as they depredate chiefly in the night ; and
any time through the day they may be blown into a
;bottle with a little water in it, and so be drowned.
i.MEDIES FOR DESTROYING VERMIN. 375
Or, a cheaper way is to bum the straw, and scatter
fresh on the ground.
4
7<~G. Remedies against Fleas.
Fumigation with brimstone, or the fresh leaves
of penny-royal sewed in a bag, and laid in the bed,
v, ill have the desired effect.
757. To destroy Fleas on Dogs.
Rub the animal, when out of the house, with the
common Scotch snuff, except the nose and eyes.
Rub the powder well in to the roots of the hair.
Clear lime-water destroys the whitish flea-worm
without injuring the skin or hair. Oil of turpentine
will likewise do so ; but if there be any manginess,
or the skin be broken, it will give the animal mucb
pain.
758. To clear Gardens of Vermin, ly Ducks,
Ducks are excellent vermin-pickers, \vlietner~ of
caterpillars (such as are within their reach.) slugs,
snails, and others, and ought to be turned into UK
garden one or two days every week throughout the
season. Never keep them longer in than two or
three hours at a time, else they become indolent,,
While here, they should have a little water set
down to them, if there be no pond or stream in the
garden.
Never turn them into the garden in the time of
heavy rains, or in continued -wet weather, as in
that case, and particularly if the soil be stiff, they
patter and harden the surface to the great injury of
small crops and rising seeds.
759. The Use of Garlic against Moles, Grubs, and
Snails.
Moles are such enemies to the smell of garlic, that,.
in order to get rid of the&e troublesome and destruc-
tive guests, it is sufficient to introduce a few heads
;7G REMEDIES FOR DESTROYING VERM,
of garlic into their subterraneous walks.' It is like--
tvi.se employed with success against grubs and
snails.
760. The Use of Sulphur in destroying Insects on
Plants, und its Benefit for Vegetation.
Tie up some Hour of sulphur in a piece of mu
lin or fine linen, and with this the leaves of young
shoots of plants should be dusted, or it may
thrown on them by means of a common svtansdown
pull', or oven by a dred;:i -\.
Frerh assurances h.^vo ivpf atc.lly been received
of the powerful influence of sulphur ruminst tho
whole tribe of injects raid worms- which infest and
prey on vegetabh Sulphur has also been found
-mote the health of plants, on which it was
1 ; and that pe:u h tree- , in pai r, were
remarkably improved by it, and seemed to absorb
it. It l).<.j like'/- .-ji'ved, that the ver r
' ; iilil'ul . i :. ranees, were per-
ascci ; i tity of new shoots
forri. to the op< n.
i having no sulphur on their : es, scr\'ed as
a kind oi'con, ive index, ;.:ui pointed cut, d
, the accumulation of health.
7C1. Method of destroying Insects on F "fees.
Make a strong decoction of tobacco, and the (or-
ler shoots of iM. r. i;y pourin,; boiling \v;;ter on
"hem ; then sprinkle your trees with the same (co!
txvi'jr- \\ week, for t\vo or three weeks, with a small
hearth brush, which will effectually destroy the in-
sects, and the leaves will retain their verdure u;.
the fall of the year.
tt
If used early, as soon as the bud unfolds itsei:'. i-
will probably prevent the fly. The eflect of tolv
co has been long known, and elder water fretjuei
ly sprinkled on honeysuckles and roses has brc\
found to prevent insects from lodging on them,
REMEDIES FOR DESTROYING VERMIN 7 . 377
The quantity to be made use of is one ounce of
tobacco to one gallon of water, with about two
handfuls of elder. You may, however, make it as
strong as you please, it being perfectly innocent to
the plants.
t.
762. To destroy Insects prejudicial to Apple, Trees.
To one hundred gallons of human urine, and
one bushel of lime, add cow-dung to bring it to the
consistence of paint. With this composition anoint
the trees. The month of March is the proper sea-
son for applying it. If the white efflorescence-like
substance, in which the insects are lodged, has
made its appearance, it should previously be brush-
ed off.
763. To destroy Insects on Fruit Trees.
Wasps, about the month of July, will begin to
swarm about the early fruits, and for their destruc-
tion, phials should be hung about the branches half
filled with honey and water, or with sugar and small
beer. These should be emptied and replaced once
in two or three days, otherwise they do not take so
well ; these little animals being extremely saga-
cious, and disliking, the appearance of their own
species dead. .
764. To destroy Insects on Fruit Trees.
Winter is the proper season to apply the follow-
ing solution, The juices are then determined to
theroot:
Soft soap, two pounds 5 leaf or roll tobacco, one
pound; nux vomica, two ounces; and turpentine,
half an English gill ; boil them in eight English gal-
lons of soft or river water, to six ; and use it milk-
warm.
Unnail, or untie, -all the branches from the wall
f>r trellis ; brush every part of the tree clean with a
soft brush, such as is used for painting; then, with
GG 2
REMEDIES IGK DESTROYING VERMt.
a sponge, carefully anoint every branch, root. ar.
bud . and be sure rub it well into every joint,
hole, and angle, as it is there the eggs or larva? of
' insects are chiefly lodged. The rails, spars,
ire. of the espalier or trellis, should also be anoint-
ed as above.
This operation should be repeated every winter,
sometime between the fall of the leaf and the first of
February, as may be most convenient. The solu-
tion is effectually destructive to all kinds of insec
their eggs or larva?.
j. To kill Reptiles.
Take 'wc-lve ounce- of [oicklime in powder, two
>unces 01 Scotch sni o ounces of basket salt.
o ounces of sulpkui vivi:m. dissolved in ten gai-
ns of v.Titer. own -in the insects, either in
he liquid or po'.vd< r, will licstroy them.
: getting into f
If tli cs are standards, tic a coarse horse-
ir rope I them, two or three feet from the
jncl. Jf they are against the wall, nail a nar-
- -lip of coarse horse-hair cloth against the wall,
about half a foot from the ground, and they will
lever get over it, for if they attempt it, it will kill
:hem, as their bellies are soft, and the horse-hair
.11 wound them.
**
7C7. T" : y<j Snails.
Snails are great enemies to wall-fruit , and in
wy morning you may easily find where they most
clvli^ht to breed ; but the best way is to find out
their haunts in a hard winter, and then destroy
them ; they lie much in holes of walls, under thorns,
"behind old trees, or old and close hedges. If you
pluck not the fruit they have begun to devour, but
let it alone, they will finish their repast on this be-
fore they begin another.
REMEDIES FOR DESTROYING VERMIX. 379"
763. To destroy the Red Spider, so troublesome in dry
Seasons.
The red spider makes its appearance in hot dry
weather, and is always found on the under sides of
the leaves, generally on roughish leaves, but not al-
ways so. It preys on the apple, cherry, fig. peach,
pear, and plum, seldom on the apricot. It is among
the smallest of the acari ; and is sometimes not dis-
tinguishable without a microscope. If the bark of
the leaf be viewed through one, it appears full of its
webbs : and if many abound on it, the leaf appears
full of punctures, becomes discoloured, and brown
on the upper surface, fades, and falls off.
This insect is more troublesome in dry seasons
than in moist ones, and is wonderfully encouraged
by hcatjjnsomuch that hot-houses of every descrip-
tion are sadly infested with it. Water, and water
only, is its bane; and the syringe, or the force-
pump, the engine of its destruction. It is not a mere
sprinkling that will do ; it requires a forcible dash-
ing to and fro, and that often repeated, to be effec-
tual.
To destroy Vermin in Children's Heads.
Take one ounce of vinegar, one ounce of staves-
acre, well powdered, half an ounce of honey, half
an ounce of sulphur, and two ounces of sweet oil:
mix the whole well together into a liniment, and rub
the head repeatedly with a little thereof.
770. To destroy Vermin in- Granaries^ and other
Out-Buildings.
Cover completely the walls and rafters, above
and below, of the granarjes, &c. which are infested
with weevils and other vermin, with quicklime
slacked in water, in which trefoil, wormwood, and
hyssop, have been boiled. This composition ought
to be applied as hot as possible^
ixi,MEDIE.S r^GR DESTROYING VERMIX.
771. To destroy Vermin on Animals.
Oil of turpentine, when applied to animals, which
were covered with insects, destroyed the insect 7
without hurting the animal.
77:. To destroy Insects on Wall Fruit Trees.
Take an old tin watering pan. or any similar vi
seh and make a charcoal fire in it; add a tube or
pipe, made of either tin, leather, or stiff paper, to
the spout, which may be of any sufficient length ;
then strew some brimstone, tobacco dust, tine shreds
of leather, &c. upon the fire, in the pan, and cover
the top; having a pair of bellows ready, hold the
wind-flap over the tube or pipe to receive the
:oke. which it will do very effectually when you
use the bellows. By this means the suffocating va-
pour may be directed through the bellows to any
part of the tree with UK- I'^test ease and facilii
and the tree soon cleared of all vermin. This meth<
much more effectual than the old one, where a %
chafing-dish luis been recommended for this pur-
pose, because the latter method is more trouble-
some, and requires the wind to blow from a partic-
ular quarter right against the trees, which can sel-
dom be -obtained,
773. . To dc.ifroy fFrt.^.c and Flics Instantly.
Wasps and Hies muy be killed very fast, by dip-
ping a leathfT in a little sweet oil, and touching their
back- with it; they will instantly die. When intent
on the fruit, and half-buried in the excavations they
have made, they are easily conve at, and arc not
apt to fly about. Insects of different kinds arc easi-
ly killed by oil; it closes up the lateral pores by
which they breathe.
774. Method of destroying Wasps and Hornets.
Those that are not unacquainted with natural his-
tory know that all the working wasps die every au-
REMEDIES FOR DESTROYING VERMIN, 3c-'.;
'.nmn. when the cold weather comes on, and that on*
!v a few females survive the winter, and keep up
mt 'II
the breed. These (which are turgid with eggs, and
much larger than the workers) corne forth about
April from their lurking holes, and being singly each.
its nest, which in a moderate time becomes popu-
lous. It is therefore of great consequence to kill as
many of these as possible, since a whole swarm is
destroyed in every single female early in the year,
Tin- places to find th era are at new posts, pales, me-
lon frames, or any solid timber ; for, as they make
their combs with the shavings of the sound wood,
which they rasp off with their fan-gs, and moisten ur>
with a certain mucus that nature has provided in
their bodies, they will readily be found near such
material?.
Hornets must be searched for on decayed posts,
vails. &c. for they make their combs with touch-
wood, and the same kind of natural cement.
In the very hot summer of 1762, wasps were so
numerous and alert that it looked as if no fruit could
have hung till it was fit for the table. They began
on the grapes before they were half ripe; and, get-
ting into the melon-frames, scooped out all the pulp
of the fruit, leaving only empty shells. I tried phials,
ns usual, filled with sugared beer. &c. this destroy
r ?d some, but did not seem to lessen their swarms ;
at last I bethought myself to buy some birdlime,
with which I tipped several taper hazel-rods of dif-
ferent lengths, and so began catch ins: them by hand,
, O- - * " O <
applying the top of the rod as they settled on the
rruit. This appeared at first to be a tedious method ;
but, after a little practice, it soon had the desired ef-
fect, for a handy person or two would in a few hours
entangle four or five hundred ; and it soon appear-
ed they were not so numerous as we imagined ; and
the taking the workers starved the grubs, which arq
supported by them, and prevented a succession,
>J2 REMEDIES FOR DE5TROY1XGTV UiJMi-N.
By thi* simple method, ineffectual as it may appear, ^
I saved my iVuit entire, which hung till it was ripcn-
".(.} to great perfection.
Hornets, as they are larger and more sluggish
ire easily taken : this method of touching them is a
sort of angling, and not a bad amusement for half
an hour. As fast as they arc caught they must be
squeezed to death with a flat piece of lath, the tip
>i the rod refreshed with birdlime now and then.
The reason of providing rods of different lengths is
to suit the different heights of the wall.
While 1 am speaking of fruit it may not be amiss
to add, that this summer I recovered a peach-tree
that was quite shrivelled up on one side by a par-
*ial watering, two or three times a week, of the af-
fected part.
775. To destroy Worms in Gardens*
Water your beds with a strong decoction of wul-
.iut-trec leaves where there are worm casts; tne
worms will immediately rise up out of the earth, and
you may easily take and cut them to pieces, and fat-
ten your poultry therewith, or feed fish in ponds
with them.
By laying ashes or iirne about any plant, neither
ails nor worms will come near it. As the moisture
weakens it, you must, more or less, continue to re-
new the lime crashes.
776. To destroy Worms in Grcnd Walks , fyc.
Pour into the holes a ley, made of wood ashes
and lime: this will also destroy insects, if trees are
sprinkled with it. Salt and water will do as well.
777. Usefulness of the Wren in destroying Insec'-
As a devourer of pernicious insert*, one of the
most useful birds is the house wren. This little bird
seems peculiarly fond of the society of man, and it
must be conf'-^ed that it is often protected by hfs
-WATER. 38 '
interested care. It has long been a custom, in many
parts of the country, to fix a small box at the end of
a long pole, in gardens, about houses, &c. as a
place for it to build in. In these boxes they build
and hatch their young. When the young are batch-
ed, the parent birds feed them with a variety of in-
sects, particularly such as are injurious in gardens.
An intelligent gentleman was at the trouble to ob-
serve the number of times a pair of these birds came
from their box, and returned with insects for their
young. He^ found that they did this from forty to
sixty times in an hour ; and, in one particular hour,
the birds carried food to their young seventy-one
times. In this business they were engaged the great-
er part of the day.-; say twelve hours. Taking the
medium, therefore, of fifty times in an hour, it ap-
peared that a single pair of these birds took from
the cabbage, salad, beans, peas, and other vegeta-
bles in the garden^ at least six hundred insects in the
course of one day. This calculation proceeds upon
the supposition, that the two birds took only a single
insect each time. ; But it is highly probable they oft-
en took several.at a time.
^CHAPTER XXXV.
WATER.
778. To make Artificial Sea Water.
Take common sea salt, two pounds ; bitter -purg-
ing salt, two ounces ; magnesia earth, half an ounce ;
dissolve all in river water, six gallons. These arc.
-the exact proportions and contents of sea water t
from an accurate analyzation.
Another l\Ltliod of making Sta
Take common salt, half an ounce; rain, or river
water pure, a pint ; spirit of sea salt, twenty drop.-.
IMix it.
780. Easy and expeditious Method of dissipathtg //<:
noxious Vapours found z?^ Wells, 4 r c. by JZbenezer
R-jbinson, of Philadelphia'.
(From the u Transactions of the American Philo-
sophical Society.")
After various unsuceessful~lrrals, I was led to con-
sider how 1 could convey a large quantity of in
air from the top to the bottom of the well, suppos-
ing that the foul would :i, <. -charily trivc way to the
pure air. With this view, I procured a pair of smith's
bellows, fixed in a wooden Ir ^o as to work in
the same man.vr as at tl. gc. This apparatus
being placed ;a ti.eedgc of Ui-J well, one end of a
leathern tube (tiu nose of a fire niginc; vvas closely
adapted to the noso of the bellow^, and the other end
was thrown into the well, reaching within one foot
01 the bottom.
At this time the well was so infected, that a candle
vould not burn at a short distance from the top 5
but, after blowing with my 1 --I lows only half an hour,
the cru-dle burned bright at the bottom : then, with-
out further diilicuhy, 1 proceeded in the work, and
finished my well.
Wells are often made in a very slight manner,
owing to the difficulty of working in them, and there
have beCn several fatal instances of the danger at-
tending the workmen : but by the above method
there is neither difficulty nor danger in completing
the work with the utmost solidity.
It is obvious, that in cleaning vaults, and work-
ing in any subterraneous place subject to damps,
they are called, the same method must be attended
\vith the same beneficial
WINESc 335
CHAPTER XXXVI.
WINES.
781. To make British Champagne.
Take gooseberries before they grow ripe, crush
them with a mallet in a wooden bowl, and to every
Ballon of fruit put a gallon of water; let it stand
two days, stirring it well ; squeeze the mixture well
with your hands through a hop-sieve; then mea-
sure your liquor, and to every gallon put three
pounds and a half of loaf sugar; mix it well in the
tub, and let it stand one day: -put a bottle of the
best brandy in the cask; leave the cask open five
er six weeks, taking off the scum as it rises ; then
make it up, and let it stand one yea^r in the barrel
before bottled.
N. B. One pint of brandy is put to seven gallons
of liquor.
?82. To make Koumiss, a valuable Wine of the Tar~
4
tars.
Take of fresh mare^s milk, of one day, any quan-
( lit} 7 ; add to it a sixth- parf water, and. pour the mix-
ture into a wooden vessel ; use then, ss a ferment,
an eighth-part of the sourest cow's milk that can be
got; but at any future preparation, a small portion
of old koumiss will betteranswer the purpose of sour-
ing. Cover the vessel with a thick cloth, and set it.
: 'in, a place of moderate warmth; leave it at rest
twenty-four hours ; at the end of which time the
milk will have become sour, and a thick substance
Vv'ill be gathered on its top; then, with a stick,
made at the lower end in the manner of a churn
Staff, beat it till the thick substance above-mention-
H H
586 VU.VES.
rd be blended intimately with the subjacent fluia
In this situation leave it again at rest for twenty-
four hours more; after which, pour it into a higher
and narrower vessel, resembling a churn, where the
agitation must be repeated as before, till the liquoi
appear to be perfectly homogeneous ; and in this
state it is called koumiss: of which the taste ought
to be of a pleasant mixture of sweet and sour. Agi-
.011 must be employed every time before it is used.
'Ihis wine operates as a cooling antisceptic, an use-
ful stimulant, cordial, and tonic, and may prove a
valuable article of nourishment; and it has one ex-
cellence, perhaps not the least, that the materials
from which it is prepared are cheap, and the mode
of preparation simple.
7C.1. Own. ,ie.
Take the expressed juice of ck r ht >Vr/7/r ornng r .
and, having one gallon of waller wherein three pounds
of sugar have been boiled, boil the water ami su
for twenty minutes ; skim constantly, and when c.' !
<M! to a proper heat for f< rmentation, add the juice.,
and the outer rind of iho juice (fruit?) shaved of}'.
Put all into a barrel, stir it frequently for two or
three days, and then closely bung it for six monlliL
before it. is bottled.
784. Excellent American Wine,.
communicated to the public by Joseph
Cooper, Esq. of New-Jersey, North America.)
" I put a quantity of the comb, from which the
honey had been drained, into a tub, and added a
barrel of cyder, immediately from the press ; this
mixture was well stirred, ^..d left for one night. Jt
\vas then strained before a fermentation took place ;
and honey was added, until the strength of the li-
quor was sufficient to bear an egg. It was then put
into a barrel ; and after the fermentation commenc-
WINES. 387
, the cask was filled every day, for three or four
itays, that the filth might work out of the bung-hole.
When the fermentation niodcrated, 1 put the bung
m loosely, lest stopping it tight might cause the caslc
to burst. At the end of five or six weeks, the liquor
was drawn oft" into a tub; and the whites of eight
eggs, well beat up, with a pint of clean sand, were
put into it: 1 then added a gallon of cyder spirit:
and after mixing the whole well together, I returned
it into the cask, which was well cleaned, bunged it
-i^ht, and placed it in a proper situation for racking
off, when fine. In the month of April following, I
drew it off into kegs, for use ; and found it equal, in
my opinion, to almost any foreign wine : in the
opinion of many judges, it was superior,
" This success has induced me to repeat the ex-
periment for three years ; and I am persuaded, that,
by using clean honey, instead of the comb as above
described, such an improvement might be made, as
would enable the citizens of the United States to
supply themselves with a truly federal and whole-
some wine, which would not cost a quarter of a dol-
lar per gallon, were all the ingredients procured at
the market price; and would have this peculiar ad-
vantage over every other wine, hitherto attempted
in this country, that it contains no foreign mixture,
but is made from ingredients produced on our own
farms," (Dr. Mease edit, of Dr. WillicWs Domes-
tic Encyclopedia, iol, 5,}
\VR1TI.VG,
CHAPTER XXXV 11.
WRITING,
785. Secret Methods of Writing.
A letter of common business may be interlit:<
by writing with sal-ammoniac dissolved in water,
or with the juice of a lemon ; these letters will not
be visible till thcv arc held bv the fire ; but a letter
"
so written will, in a short time discover itself from
the corroding acid and moisture of the liquid. So a
letter, written with dissolved alum, will not be dis-
cernible till the : be dipped in water.
A letter may be written with the yolk of an egg;
but wh(n tiif li-iii . re quite dry, tJie paper must
be Blackened all over with ink, and the confederate,
by ping the paper gently with a knifr. will ex-
>sc the letters written with an egg, while the rest
the paper continues black.
r86. .in artificial Water fur writing Letters of Se-
crecy.
Take copperas, finely powdered, put a little
thereof into a new ink-horn, pour clean wrier on it ;
and after it has stood a little wliile write therewith,,
r on vellum or parchment, and the writing can-
not be seen any other way than by drawing the let-
ters through a water thus prepared : Take a pint
of water, put into it one once of powdered gnils >
temper it together, and strain it through a cloth;
put tho w.itcr into a dish that is wide enough, anil
draw your writing through it, and you w ill read it o ;
you do other writings ; and to make the secret con-
teats less liable to suspicion, you may write on U -
WRITING. 389-
corilrary side of the paper or parchment, with black
Writing ink, matters of less consequence,
787. Another.
Take flake-white, or any other whitening, and di-
lute it in water impregnated with gum adragant. If
you write with this liquor, the writing will not bo
perceivable, unless you hold the paper to the sun or
the light of a candle. The reason why it is so, is,
that the rays of light do not pass with the same fa-
cility through the letters, formed with this liquor, as
through the other parts of the paper,
788. To write secretly on a Pocket Handkerchief.
Dissolve alum in pure water, and write upon a
'tine white handkerchief, which, when dry, will not
be seen at all ; but when you Would have the letters
visible, dip the handkerchief in pure water, and it
will be of a wet appearance all over, except where
it was written with the alum water.
You may also write with alum water upon writ-.
ing paper, which will not be. visible till dipped in
water, .
739. To write loth blue and red Letters at once with
the same Ink and Pen, and upon the same Paper.
Take the quantity of a hazel nut litmus blue to
three spoonfuls of conduit water, wherein some gum-
arabic is dissolved, and when it has settled the space
of ah hour, -if you write with it, you will have letters
of a perfect blue; and if you dip a hair pencil in
the juice of lemons, and moisten some part of tha
paper therewith, afterwards letting it dry again,
and then write upon the place where the juice of
lemons was laid with the blue ink, the letters will
suddenly become red, and in all the rest of the pa
per they will be blue.
H II 2
390 >v,
790. Totcrit: rent Colours u} Pqper
v'ltk the Juice if Viol
Dip a camel-hair pencil in diluted spirit of vi-
triol or any other acid, run it over pail of the pa-
per, and when it is dry write upon it with a pen dip-
ped in the juice of violets, and the. writing will im-
mediately turn to a fine red. If you write with pure
violet juice, you have a violet blue. By runni
the other pan of the paper over with a hair-pen
dipped in any alkaline .salt, as salt of wormwood
dissolved in water, and writing upon the same,
when dry. with violet juice, you have o very fine
rcn. Writing upon tincture of steel with violet
ice, you have a black. If you write with the juice
. ii ' ts, and rub on one part of the writing spirit
vitriol, and on the other spirit of hartshorn, or s:
.wood dissolved, you have red and green.
When the writing is held r .c the fire it becomes yel-
v.
791. To write iit thr Dark, as straight as by Day or
Candle Light.
Write with a pencil on an ivory leaf: for if linci
liv.wn on the leaf with a needle, or any sharp
point, they may be k It by the point of the pencil.
2. Method of forming Lr tiers <f (lold on Paper,
and for Orn, ts of Writing.
Pulverize gum-ammoniac, and dissolve it in wa-
r. previously impregnated with a little gum-arab-
ic and some juice of garlic. The gum ammoniac
;\ill not di.-.:>ol-vc in \vbte r, so as to form a transpa-
\t fluid, but produces a milky appearance: with
the liquor thus prepared, draw with a pencil or
write with a pen, on paper or vellum, the intended
figure or letters for the gilding; suffer the paper to
dry, and then, or anytime afterwards, breathe on it
till it be moistened, and immediately lay leaves of
NG. oOf---
gold, or parts of leaves cut in the most advanta-
geous manner, in order to save the gold, over the
parts drawn or written upon, and press them gently
to the paper, with a ball of cotton or soft leather :
when the paper becomes dry, which a short time 01
gentle heat will soon effect, brush off with a sot;
pencil, or rub off by a fine linen rag. the redundant
gold, which covered the parts between the lines of
the drawing or writing, and the finest hair strokes oi
the pencil or pen, as well as the broader, will ap-
pear perfectly gold,
793. Simple Method ofcopijing Letters, without th-.
Use of a Copying Machine.
Put a little sugar in common writing ink ; write
with this on common sized paper as usual ; whet
copy is- required, unsized paper is taken, and light-
ly moistened v/ith a sponge. Apply the wet paj:
then to the vmting, and a flat iron, such as is used
by laundresses, of a moderate heat, being lighily
passed over the unsized paper, the counter- prv.-
or copy is immediately produced.
~94. To make durable Writim* on Paper.
Dissolve gum-arabic in water, and add therein
ivory-black, extremely well ground, and write
therewith. Acids cannot discharge this writing -,
and if you wish to secure it against the steams of
hot water, the writing may be covered with while
of egg clarified.
795. To preserve Letters from being opened.
Various ways have been contrived to open letters,
sealed with wafers only, but the following compo-
sition is perfectly scciae: Take fine powder of
bean flour; add thereto white of egg, well whisked
to a fine liquid ; make a paste from this mixture, of
which put a little under the sealing, place ; then
close the* two papers, and hold the part cJoL-e to the
steam arising from the spout of a tea-kettle or tea-
392 WRITING.
pot of boiling water, which will harden the cement,,
so that it cannot be opened without tearing.
79G. To ta/ce out Writing*
When recently written, ink may be completely
removed by the oxymuriatic acid (concentrated and
in solution. The paper is to be washed over repeat-
edly with the acid ; but it will be necessary after-
wards to wash it also with lime water, tor the pur-
pose of neutralizing any acid that may be left on the
paper, and which would considerably weaken it.
But if the ink have been lung written, it will have
undergone such a oha is to prevent the precc<
process from taking effect. It ou^ r ht therefore
to be v . ith liver of sulphur (sulphuret (I
Tmmcnia; l.rfcrc th<- ox v muriatic acid is applied.
It may be J with a hair-pencil.
7$7 Method of re( the Legibility of decayed
II 9.
Ti. i of restoring legiV'ility to decay-
H! v. i , i- found upon experiment to be, by
tiov< rin : the ! U<T> with phlogisticated alkali, with
the addition ni :i diluted miner:;! acid ; upon the ap-
plication of letters will cLicijc very
!i!y !o MHO colour, c; -t beauty a:
nsity* ' solution of prussiatc of potash will
[ilso ( iiic ietfrr.s t^ appear blue. To prevent
4 .a- ; of the colour, wliich, by blotting the
rch.ment. 'It-tract^ gitntlyfrom thf- ! -ibility, the
!.] !)e o. fir- 1, and the diluted acid
i it, ! ound to aii.swer be.-
has l"'f!i LO - i thin \vuii a Icntfur
over tiiv M I; rs, and inen to touch it,
gc . " :H: letters ,'ts can 1
do<i . with !.' ,' .-.-ill. b^ iiva.is of a fi-athrr
or - i biia-t point. Thouyh the alkali
should occasion no sensible t " of colour, }
WRITING, ,3l'J
the moment the acid comes upon it, every irace oF
a letter turns at once to a fine blue, which soon ac=
quires its fall intensity, arid is beyond comparison
stronger than the colour of the original trace had
i
been. If, then, tne corner of a bit of blotting prr-
per be carefully and dexterously applied near the
letters, so as to imbibe the superfluous liquor, the
staining of the parchment may be in a great measure
avoided : for it is this superfluous liquor which, ab-
sorbing part of i-he colouring matter from the letters,
becomes a dye to whatever it touches. Care must,
be taken not to bring the blotting paper in contact
with the letters, because the colouring matter is.-
soft, whilst wet, and may easily be rubbed off*.
The acid chiefly employed has been the marine ;
but both the vitriolic and nitrous succeed very well.
They should be so far diluted as not to be in dan-
ger of corroding the parchment 5 after which ili^
degree of strength does not seem to be a matter of
much nicety^
798. To revive old Writings which are almost defaced,
Boil gall nuts in wine ; then steep a sponge into the
liquor, and pass it on the lines of the old writing;
by this method the letters, which were almost unde-
cipherable, will appear as fresh as if newly done,
799* To gild Letters on Vellum or Paper.
Letters written on vellum or paper, are gilded in
three ways : in the first, a little size is mixed with
ihe ink, and the letters are written as usual ; when
they are dry, a slight degree of stickiness is pro-
duced by breathing on them, upon which the gold
leaf is immediately applied, and by a little pressure
may be made to adhere with sufficient firmness, In
the second method, some white lead or chalk is
ground up with strong size, and the letters are
made with this by means, of a. brush : v:hen ths -
WRITING.
mixture is almost dry. the gold leaf may be laid 01,,
and afterwards burnished. The last method is tc
mix up some gold powder with size, and make the
letters of this by means of a brush.
U. To make Pounce.
Gum-sandarac powdered and sifted very line. w i!
produce an excelled preventive to keep ink from
inking in the paper after you have had occur- ion to
scratr any part of the writing,
301. ;</
Cuttle fish bone, properly dried, one ounce ;
best rosin, one ounce ; and the same quantity ot
burnt alum, well incorporated together, will make
very good pounce, equal, if not superior, to any
bought at the shops.
?0. Method of obtaining exact Copies of Inscrip-
tions.
The stone, or other matter, in which the inscrip-
:i is cut, is to be fir. -it well washed and dried ;
then with printer's balls the surface is laid over
with printing ink, in the same manner as is laid on
typcr , one or o sheets of paper, according to
the size of the inscription, previously damped, arc
then laid over it, and the impression taken off by-
striking the papier with a clean bail, the hand, or a
:
TU'ce or four copies sho'.il- 1 ken in this man-
ner, as the fourth is usually the most perfect. As
the inscription will be reversed on the paper, it may
be read off right, on the other side, by holding th<-
paper against the light. If the inscription is in re-
lievo, the letters will be black ; if in hollow, the
icrs will be white aud the ground black.
MISCELLANEOUS.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS,
Which were communicated too late to be inserted
under the preceding Chapters.
SOS. To make excellent Ink.
Take a pound of the best Aleppo galls, half a
pound of copperas, a quarter of a pound of gum-
arabic, and a quarter of a pound of white sugar-
candy. Bruise the galls, and beat the other ingre-
dients fine; and infuse them all in three quarts of
white wine, or rain- water. Let this mixture stand
hot by the fire three or four days ; and then put it
on a slow fire so as to boil. Stir it frequently, and
let it stand five or six hours, till one quarter of it
be evaporated. When cold, strain it through a
-clean coarse piece of linen ; bottle, and keep it for
.-use.
The communicator of this .rood old- receipt is con-
vinced that much pains have been taken to ascer-
tain the due proportions of the galls and copperas :
for he has found that, on diminishing or increasing
their relative quantities as above, the ink has al-
ways been pale ; but this defect will sometimes hap-
pen, if the materials be not of the -best kind. The
quality of the paper written on will also make a dif-
ferencs in the colour of the ink.
The grand secret in preparing -this ink, which
will never change its colour, if properly attended to,
though kept never so long, consists in the keeping
it free from that mouldiness, which, in hot weather
particularly, is apt to form upon the surface. The
best way is, to put it into a large glass bottle, with
a ground stopper, and to shake it frequently. If,
j MISCELLANEOUS.
from sudden heat of the weather, or neglect >;.
shaking, the mouldincss should appear, either
take it off. if in a very small quantity and easily re-
Moved, or otherwise let it accumulate till a thick
crust be formed: and then, with a piece of wood,
Ci- wire crooked aL the end, take it oil all at once.
h is very usual to put ink into an earthen or stone
r, which is suspended to seme door that is fre-
i-ntly opened, in ortler that the ink may be sha-
A'~n. l-'.t few doors are cither regularly or suffi-
I':-MU\ agitated for the purpose of preventing the
formation of the 'Jestruc'.ivc vegetable substance or
mould i ness ; and this, bring once accumulated, and
of course not seen in the jar, is shaken together
wilh the ink. and the whole is spoiled. You might
- 3 -.veil put aqiian'i'y of rotten mushrooms into
ale of ink, and expect that it should retain its
irtm . been found that the bruised or po\v-
red mrtterirvs ol' this receipt for making ink, if
fu-cd in cold \\atcr and well strained, will answer
c piirj.fi.-c. uhep il i- difiicult or inconvenient to
hci-t tlu-ii. 1 fore directed. If the ink be rcuuir-
ito be more black and glossy than usual, increase
-crction t!ir quantihes of gum and sugarcan-
.1 too muth of them will make the ink sticky :
and wliicii sliDiild not be used, \vhcrc the wrilina is
made in any folding-book.
CO-1. Quicksilver,
Tallow will take up quicksilver. Vinegir kills it.
-.05. To revive a dull Fire.
Powdered nitre, strewed on the fire, is the b'_
bellows that can be useJ.
800. Small Pox.
In Dr. Lort\s copy of" Mead dc rcir'ml, v ;;>-
"riitefl, what was termed k- A curious and info!-
MISCELLANEOUS. 397
lible preventive against ever catching the Small
Pox," as follows :
Two spoonfuls of red ochre, such as is used for
marking Sheep, infused in half a pint of ale, and
taken seven mornings successively, fasting.
807. Against the Blatta, or Cock-Roaches.
S r Jt a glazed baking-dish, filled with small beer,
sweetened with coarse brown sugar, in the place in-
fested ; and place a board against it, as a bridge or
ladder for the blatta to ascend. This is the best of
sll the remedies.
803. Corns and War Is.
Apply soft brown paper moistened with spitilc.
A few dressings will remove them.
809. To destroy Snails and Slugs.
A few turnip?, sliced and laid on the borders of
the garden they infest, will attract them in the even-
ing.
810. To prevent Paper from sinking.
If the paper used in superior editions of books
and which sinks so as to prevent its bein.^ written
on, be dipped in alum-water, it may be wrii.en on.
This practice was adopted by Peirese. (See his Life.
p. 199.)
-811. To harden Plaster of Paris Casts.
Wash them well with a spunge dipped in alum-
water.
-812. To change Hair to a Jfrn Brcirn.
O J
. A solution of the silvrr caustic in water is tfic
foundation of all the nosti-tnii for this pu '\ [t
'must be well diluted before used, Dr. .'i/w '-:'-
r .
Lectures*
MISCELLANEOUS.
313. Pearl White.
Bismuth dissolved in aqua fortis is pearl \vhiie,
This, though at first it whitens, afterwards blackens
the skin, as all preparations from lead do ; and
therefore none of them are safely to be used. Dr.
.Moystfs Lectures.
814. To detect Copper in Liquids.
Spirit of hartshorn mixed with them, turns them
blue. Therefore tea is not dried on copper, as on
infusion of it is not turned blue by this mixture.
Cyder being passed through brass pots is detected
by this experiment. Ibid.
,15. To take nff a Gold hivg tlickii / tight on <
Finger,
Touch it with mercury, and it becomes so brit-
tle that a slight blow with a hammer, will break it.
816. T detect the .1//i t 'MJv nf ,-lryniir.
A solution of blue vitriol dropped into uriy iiqn
in which arsenic has been put will turn it green.
31 7. To trt/ the purity of Spiri't*.
See if the liquor will burn away wit;.o\:; lr
a'ny moisture behind. As spirit is much lighti r '
\\ater, place a hollow iv.ry ball in it ; the der-j < :
the ball sinks, the li'jL' r the liquor, and cor.sc
quently more spirituous.
818. To raise, a Salad quick^, 1 .
Steep lettuce-seed, mustard, crc ssr c , &:- in aq 1
viliv. Mix a lillle pigeon's d',;i;c; with some mould,
and powdered slacked lime. In forty-eight hour-
the salad will be roduced.
810. To d
Cut a turf, ond lay it with the gra^s downwards
-near the plant destroyed by the grub, and it will nt
MISCELLANEOUS. 399
Against Burns or Scalds,
Plunge the part scalded into cold water as soon
as possible. Wet it with linen steeped in rectified
spirit of common brandy. Poultices and oily appli-
cations are to be avoided.
321. M Corn Plaister.
One ounce of naval pitch, half an ounce of gal-
banum, dissolved in vinegar, one scruple of ammo-
nia, and one drachm and a half of diachylon, mixed
together. From La Forest ' UArt de s : oig,ner les
PiedsS
822. To keep off Flies.
Place camphor on or near what you wish to pro-
tect from them.
823. - For preserving the Nails.
One ounce of oil of bitter Almonds : one drachm
of oil of tartar per deliquium ; one ounce of pre-
pared crabs-eyes. Mix up with essence of lemon to
scent it.
La Forest recommends rubbing the nails with
lemon as a detergent.
-324. For taking au-ay superfluous Hair.
Quicksilver, two ounces ; yellow orpiment, one
ounce; starch, one ounce; litharge, one ounce;
sift them through silk, and dilute them with soap
and water till they become a paste. Anoint the
, -irt, and iet it dry for five minutes ; then scratch
off the hair with the nail. Wash immediately in,
warm water. From La Forest ' UArt de soigner
hs Ptcds.
825. To make Phosphorus.
Two third parts of quicklime (i. e. calcined oys-
ter-shells), and one third of flour of brimstone, put
M; - \ VEOT - >
j;;to a crucible for an hour, and exposed to the air
for an hour, become phosphorus.
-?0. To discharge Gr<;t:< from leather.
The while of an egg applied to the spot, and dri-
ed in the sun ; or, to two table-spoonfuls of spirit
"f turpentine, add half an ounce of mealy potato*-
ith some of the bc-st Durham mustard. Apply this
ixluro i.-j th" spot, and rub it oil' when dry. A lif-
vinoL'-ti 1 adJeii, revives, and is perhaps more ef-
ti:~
7. To present Wounds from mortifying.
c prinkle su^aron them. The Turks wash fresh
wnur,d$ \\ii!i nine, and s-priiiklc sugar on them.
>bstin*te uli-crs ir.ay be cured with sugar dissolved
in a bti-on decoction of walnut leaves.
J-G.
To arge Grease from Paper.
I)Uin l;on ( :-s of s; : ui;h the powJor rub both
sidi-s of ih ' ; arui, puttini: whito pieces of pa-
jirrou rai-h >idt-, Kiy the vviioJc in a press. Repeat
this proci'SM til! 1. ..t disappears.
'h;tcfir Fiux.
tep broam-twig . the former ye :
.rieu::;^; ilic most \ ." ..irons shoot-) for two or
more or U - at ut
I 1 : i, in > nt water; or boil them for an
hour in \\ r. This done, (i, i separates freely
j-ni the t\\ii:s; ori<i vhorr there is not marhinerv
for the purp.i.-e. it r: isily be stripped ell' by
children or others, when not rpiitc dry, in llic same
uiaur.er a* hemp is pulled from the stalks. When
stripped from the twigs, the flax rr quires only to bo
well waslud in cold water, then wrung and shaken
well, and hung oi.t to dry, previously to its being
sent oil* to the paper-manufacturer, &c. Professor
bleached some cf it ibr ihc Rev. Tames
MISCELLANEOUS. 40!
Hall (to whom we owe this valuable discovery),
who has also seen it spun. The same gentleman al-
so observes, that the fibres of all kinds of mallow,
especially those of the maha syhestrisj are particu-
larly beautiful ; they are finer than camel's hair, to
which they bear some resemblance, and there is no
difficulty in procuring them.
What adds to the value of this discovery is, that
the broom-twigs, or wood, after being clear of the
flax, and steeped for some time in boiling-water,
become tough and beautifully white, and are worth,
at a medium, from twelve to eighteen pence per
pound, for making carpet-brooms, &c,
830. Economical Use of Nutmegs.
.If a person begin to grate a nutmeg at the stalk
end, it will prove hollow throughout; whereas the
same nutmeg grated from the other end, would have
proved sound and solid to the last. This circum-
stance may thus be accounted for: The centre of
a nutmeg consists of a number of fibres issuing from
the stalk, and its continuation through the centre of
the r-uit, the other ends of which fibres, though
closely surrounded and pressed by the fruit, do not
adhere to it. When the stalk is grated away, those
fibres having lost their hold, gradually drop out,
and the nutmeg appears hollow : as more of the stalk
is grated away, others drop out in succession, and
the hollow continues through the whole nut. By
beginning at the contrary end, the fibres above-
mentioned are grated off at their cere-end, with the
surrounded fruit, and do not drop out and cause a
hole.
831. To ascertain the Qtfalily of Nutmegs.
Oil of nutmegs being of great value, it is often
extracted from the nuts which are exposed to sale,
and which are thereby rendered of very little valueo
To ascertain the quality of nutmegs, force a pin in-
402 MISCELLANEOUS.
to them ; and if good, however dry they may ap-
T^'cir. the oil will be seen oozing O ut all round the
pin, from the compression occasioned in the sur-
i Bunding parts.
C32. Tu increase the Durability of Til
R"ce:it experiments have shewn that tiles are
greatly improved, and rendered impcr^wm to water
d fro>f, hy bring rubbed over with tar before
y are laid on the roof.
'3. To j)n-crn{ JJrass I ' .--.ids from contracting
Verdigris, after u>.h- . d.
Instead of wiping them dry, it has been found,
fh.it by constantly immersing them in water, they
x- pt perfef:t!v ii,no\iou.-.'and will remain for
\ -;,rs. fully as clean and nearly as bright as wh
( out of the hand's of the workmen.
J4. Improved Mode of j -
T.ilvr- ihrTP pounds of roses, and rub them foi
''' inutes wiiij or.e pound of common salt.
. being brui-ed by the fi iction of the salt,
Juice, so thai r pa?;- i> immediately form-
Ji may b<- put in an earthen jar, or in a bar-
i. till lill'.-d, (.y I* ; r.uing the same process. Thea
ose it, and keep it in a cool place till wanted.
\V'i- .1 required to br distilled, this aromatic paste
is to be put into the body of the still, with twice its
\v( ig H of water. Any sr.^on of tin- \r ; , r will do for
- .peration. Hence it arises, that all plants being
?.v,7 nil; ,'. need only to be distilled when wanted,
d may (iius be used while all their medical virtues
are in perfection.
'5. Vanherman^ Incomparable anJ iluraLL
Paint for Inside H'ufk only, winch will dry and
to sm< 11 within six hours.
A .Id to a gallon of spirit of turpentine, two pounds
MISCELLANEOUS, 493
<vf frankincense. Let it simmer over a cleai fire. till
dissolved; then strain it, and bottle it for use. To
a gallon of bleached linseed oil, add a quart of this
mixture, shake them well together, and bottle this
also. Let any quantity of white lead be ground ve- -
ry fine with spirit. of turpentine; then adcl to it a -
sufficient portion of the last mixture, till it be found
fit for laying on. If, in working, it should grow thick,
it must be thinned with spirit of turpentine.' r l his is
what painters call a flat cr dead white, to distinguish
it from common white pain'?, being only suitable
for the very best internal work, both on. account of
*
its superior delicacy and expense,
83G. Useful Knife Board.
A common knife-board, covered with thick buff-
leather, on which are put emery, one part, crwus
mart is., three parts in very fine powder, mixed into
a thick paste with a little lard or sweet oil, and
spread on the leather about the thickness of a shil-
ling, gives a far superior edge and polish to knives
and will not wear the knife nearly so much as the
common method of usi'i brick-.dust on hoard.
837, Chapped or Sore Lips
May be healed by the frequent application of
honey- water, and protecting them from the influence
of cold air.
33. AVzi? Mode of marking; Sheep, without Injury to
the Wool.
Mark, on either side of the nose of the sheep, the
initial of the owners name, and on the opposite
side any number by which he rnay choose to desig-
nate the particular sheep, by means of a small iron
k-tter or figurr, about an inch long; which, being;
dipped in common oil colours, mixed with turpen-
tine to dry them more readily, is placed on the part
404 MISCELLANEOUS*
described, and will continue until the next shearing
season. The process is easy, and will give the ani-
mal no pain ; the marks cannot be readily oblite-
rated, which is not the case with tattooing or cau-
terizing.
3:~:9. Tc promote the Growth of Hair.
Mix equal parts of olive oil and spirits of rose-
mary, ar.'J add a few drops of oii of nutmeg. If the
hair be rubbed every night with a little of this lini-
ment, and the proportion be very gradually aug-
mented, it wiil ansv.-rr every purpose.' of increasing
the growth of hair, much more effectually than can
be attained by any of. the boasting empirical prepa-
rations which arc imposed on the credulous pur-
chaser.
8 10. To fatten Tarkics as they do in X
Tlu 1 quality and ?i-e of the Norfolk tnrkies aie
riipci'iorto those of any other port of the kingdom.
Thev are fed aiur :-.{ rMirc'lv wilh buck-wheat,
.
which, perhaps, may accour.f for their excellence,
and are bred by idmost every little farmer in the
county. When young. they demand perpetual atten-
tion, and mu-t be fc : with alum, curds, a;:d chop-
ped onions : a:d the expense attending their ma-
nagement and fi.-nd ran be compensated only where
broods ;.i(: ioicnibly successful, and the prices high,
' en v(;ung, they siyvi'd h.-vr a lar^-o proportion
of common pej.por ( : mixed in their i'ood 7 or be
allowed to pick in a bed of it.
841. To judge of the Weather.
If a person inir-nds to ride any where in winter,
and suspects it will rain, he mny know by the fol-
lowing <,hs.tTv: j .tio- t hours before the r;.in crrr.cs
on ; a:;d so resolv ' to take a great coot with !:i:;i, or
; -rwise escape it, viz. Let him ob.- rve the top
of the mercury i:> the tube of u barometer, and if.
MISCELLAXEO; G'2
rain be about to come, it will be indented or con-
cave, othej'tvise, convex or protuberant. But as the
barometer is sometimes deceitful, the point from
which the wind blows, and the appearance of the
day is more certain.
S4"2. Substitute for Grease, for Coach Wheels, fyc.
Mix one pound of hog's lard with half a pound of
black lead ; stir them well together, --whilst melting
over a slow fire. If the axles and bushes of the
wheels be true, a carriage may safely be run one
hundred, or one hundred and fifty miles, with once
using the above composition,,
$43. Excellent Varnish for Umbrellas, &c,
Great coats, and other articles much exposed to
the weather, are rendered both sun and rain proof,
by the following excellent varnish : Boil well toge-
ther two pounds of turpentine, one pound of litharge
in powder, and two or three pounds of linseed oiL
When the article is brushed over with this varnish,,
it must be dried in the sun ; after which, the great-
heat will not affect it.
CIDF.yTS, to prevent,
by leaving pokers in the
j2cid, yitrous, process for
preparing, for extracting
stains from tanned lea-
ther, 343
.-3ccr-i Coffee, to make 171
r e, receipts re la-
1,
Page.) P,
l:<l : ..!i.f..' f , to noxious sub-
stances and animal?, 287
^-Ini.mals. to prevent death
from the bite of venom-
ous 28G
s, methods of destroy-
ing 6J. 37:2, 37 o
Apples, method of preserv-
ing <3. 109
Trees, remedy for the
sen,
tive to
/!.rie* cure for the
.'J //, to purity bad and infec-
tious 15,3
- , in garden 1 , method of
purifying 250
Alabaster* to clean 1*75
Alder, waste land advar>
tau'eou'lv planted with
-LV, pleasant and chev.p
- , the. uses of ground ivy
in.
J/oc.<, the juice of, may be
applied to beneficial pur-
ges,
.'(.!/;:!, to detect in bread
^o.'j. Dr. his method
of keepiai milk and but-
t.:,-.
disease ia
, to destroy in-
Sal to" "77
sects
Inr.i, to keep ir:ru rust 247
mafic Herbs, to pre-
serve 200
I 'in.'-?-, to pre-
are 281,3
Irt*, useful 7.'. et t .
W Irsc'nie, to detect
\JtsparagiU) to render more
produc'ive -o"
artificial to
make 214
70'
. t: ' sport of, im-
15]' : Balscnnic J -. to make ^
method of makin
proved by attention to grow on old .trees,
the dress CCJ' , to make an improved
-, to prevent taking
G7
cold while
Animal Food, method of
preserving sweet 155, 6 & 7 , ?i;b*titute for
tincture of
O I
H<tri-i, fertilising steep for 5.i
Barm, to m:ike 98
. >9
JJarrt-r , xi of
making dura''
-, f
Bill
ah
cxc
, for the
41
i:
40
filnrkt;
' - :
ing
Bali.',
-
I*.
-
, Paud, to
&/vi.v'.<, method of prcserv-
Btd-Glothes, hints relative
14.3
w-nnii : 15o
Ucniif '<<- 1 ?'/.
.,../", to pr i "lur- ' -
i,, -t , a new stj]
ImM-.-s ! stop o02
. Tin, to i,: , of the i;osc- to
t, {.n , ;ag
fat, , fork an 17. i
!ve r rrpaii
.I. i-. Me. 1-9
.
h nt
.tor \T.jiir In
: J'<G
"/oi/r, to rn:vU t. in
ris
r6.
: 77
r Iv .K.e a 1
Re/'-//
\\i:t, i 1 of
. (i jn
in. at
. mi thod of i 't.j
the "^.lani;
. tn r nv,
-. UK i'
-- , /'",
9-1
'
=tin
/,' / //.' N 1 , tO lll'-t | I'V '"'''
/.-. pr.-.-irve flurin-
win
Bn;':--Tr"~ Win', to maUn
-
! to
in;: :
, (o
fr
I i in-' r\v
- . to p" 1 -
! t y
rnt -
Birds. - i \ l ''"ii ' ''V
n, 'Hi. ui u!' pii^cr. in,"
, C'riri'tri, to br^.1 (1
1 K;
110
- *.'C7 II li t i - ^ O J
, t > Ivi 'p when ju. t
shot, 1 i
Rtrd Lime, to make ' ' r
|H,(| of <
dang i
a
I'Hjtiiii'^ ?piii(- in, \\ i
feet i-r* 1 uct, 1 n
, to pr.-
rf-nt -a '-v or r..ia \v;. I
ni !',r top* of I.;T
. y/7, i la_in\-al ]']
,
in [-;-. r rvr> !r in
1C !
_ht
. to m !
INDEXi
Prt^fc
Deities, to clean flint glass 174
Box Edgings, to cut 252
Brandy, method of giving
malt spirit the flavour of
good
Brass Vessels, to prevent
contracting verdigris
, composition for gild-
153
Page
, Salt, to make fresh 168
, Irish. Salt, method of
"taking the rankness oil 167
Cukes, fumigat'lnsr, to make 221
ng
, made from
gladiole
, Potatoe, to make
, Sea, to preserve from
the weevil
, to discover if adulte-
rated with arum
Ireal/i, usefulness of char-
coal for sweetening
Brewing, and managei
of malt liquors
, cheap method of
, substitutes for \
for 98 1C
74 Call
srement of
Bronze, for plaster figures
Bruise in the eye, r
for a
Bruises, porter-piaster good
for
Buck-Wheat, utility of =ow
ing
Buckles, mourning, to blue
, Gilt, to clean
Bugs, remedy for destroy-
ing
Building,
Burns, cures for
Butler, bad tub, to cure
, improved method of
making
/improved method of
salting
, to keep
, to make excellent,
from the milk of cows led
upon turnips
>- , to ';ike the taste of
the (uruips off
9 TT
<ing 166
ater
165
5 ib.
rom
164
ilte-
ib.
iar-
156
lent
94
96
east
) 161 166
es 70
edy
287
ood
295
ow-
55
ue 71
159
OV-
2~15^16
100
294 C99
B 167
1 of
\-/U.H. CJ* ilia.] ICLil^AA-iV^IJ t- *-/ * A V
rxppllpnt rnpthot! of
"rearing 110
ment of rearing without
milk 118
f n m *M r P h 1 V ^ P 1.
j \.\J 1I1CC&.C ""J *.^<*-
for 1 19
, to prevent sickness
in 120
Canine Madness, method
of discovering 242
Candles, economy in
Canary Birds, to breed 110
Canker in Trees, method of
"curing the 20^
Capsicums, to rais'e 26o
Carnations, proper meth-
od of laying 250
Carriages, to avoid the ac-
cidents occurring to open 2C6
Carrots, preparation for 57
the winter, 5?
ntil-ivnf fnr Vior ? 1 ; 1 "'0
Carpets, Turkey, method of
'cleaning, 175
Cart'i.rx, advice relative to 46
Cashew Nuts, to make a
wholesome food of 220
Cclols, composition to take
off 71
167
151
150
168
Caterpillars, nrcthod of de-
stroying 62
63
Cattle, management of, fee. 114
= , food for, ib,
, the everlasting pea,
a valuable crop ibr, ib,
, to preserve from
disease,
K K
Page
'tic, virtues of hay-tea
lor
Scotch Kale, an
excellent food for
diseases of
Cav.lijiou-er, economical
v.ay of cutting,
Cautions to persons visiting
sick room?,
Cayenne Pepper i to make
.tndint, cures letter..- and
rin?-worms,
C(n>ent, an excellent, for
wood,
. - . f-.r broken cliina,
- , for iron -' . s,
- , | reparation of com-
mon, for joining
115
114
j.). .
223
n
266
133
131
/';
ter
to resist fire cr v. a-
a strong
in. :
127
1 "'
127
130
, Turkey, for join-
ing metals, gl :t<-. 131
, blood, for repair-
ing copper-.
, excellent, (or mor-
tar) made on the Cots-
wold Hill?,
, to restore cast-iron
furnaces and p.
, to resist the action
in
of tire and wal'T,
, to stop cracks
glass vessi
Champagne, to make Bri-
124
129
ib.
tish,
1 .-> pr.-vfnt the
jts of burn-
2%
, U.-'-M;! TTopr-rtiesof 130
Cherrij-T,-!' *V ///:>, valua-
ble prop rlit * of 219
O~. <*><., t" colour 1 7.-
, to make Stilton 170
Chcsnnts, Horse, to extract
starch /rom 86
C'hicktn?, to liiU'.n. cxpe-
ditiously
Chickweedj a substitute for
spring sj'inu.
Children, to prevent from
eating food too quickly,
, danger of their eat-
176
298
379
24?
105
70
105
131
310
ing gilt ginger bread,
- , to facilitate in cutting
thiir teeth,
Chilblains, to prevent
breaking
Child rtr.^s Heads) to des-
troy vermin in
CYu /7i7m = , method of extin-
guishing fires in
- -, to CM re smoky
- , to sweep without em-
ploying children,
- , to improve the fire-
places of
C'A /?!<;, cements for mend-
ing
- , In fr, to make
Chocolate, to make, from
cocoa-note
C'holic, iu horses, receipt
lor
Churches, to preserve from
dilapidation
- , prejudicial to live by
the yards of
Clicir, good for the scur-
vy 20 S
Clothts, hint rcspectir,
catching lire : 14J
- , to make portable
balls, to remove spots
IV. iu \.
- , to make -water-proof 141
- , to preserve from
moths l.;C
-- . to prevent the dancer
of the llames when on fire
--- , to prevent c .
from wet 1 45
Cloths, a water to take the
spots out of
242
0'J
273
'
INDEX.
411
manure for
ck- 'r"Aec/5,substitute for
grease for
Coal-Mines, to repair roads
near
d(i]'ee,, remarks on
, virtues of
, grape-seeds, a sub-
stitute for
-, its effects on the
constitution
, the seeds of flowers
de luce, a substitute for
, to improve
, to make, from a-
47
405
84
169
170
171
169
171
Page
Cork-Ploats, method of
making 67
Corns, to prevent the
growth of 29f-
and Warts, to re-
move 296, 3S7
Cottons, method of clean-
ing;
141
to render less com-
bustible 244
, to dye a buff co-
lour 235
\Court Plaster, to make
corns
, valuable substitutes
for
, Turkish mcdo of
preparing
Coins, to take impressions
or casts of
Cold, to prevent taking,
while angling
, lute to prepare
mixture for a
Colours, management of
313, el
Compost, for dunghills
Contagion, to prevent 276,
Copal-Famish, prepara-
tions of
Copying a Print, roethod of'
Coppsr, in liquids to detect
-, Vessels, necessary
ib.
ib.
170
71
67
123
301
seq.
47
280
296
302
iu> Coughs, receipt for
Cows, parsnips productive
of milk in H?
, rules for milking 1 150
. to prevent from
Contracting bad habits,
1 IT'
while milking
- , best method of feed-
ing and managing ib,
great increase of
milk, from sainfoin
, proper food for
additional produce
116
1-17
ib.
of milk, how to gain
Cramp, certain cure for the 297
,ream
substitute for 224
-. to preserve ia long
voyages 213
hints to those who use 224
359 Crickets, to destroy
322| ,' to drive away
398 Crimson, to stain par er or
parchment
371
Hb.
Coral- Branches, (artificial)
to make
Corn, discovery relative- to
the preservation of
* -, to keep crows from
*- , to keep insects
from, during long vcy-
Crops, culture and man-
agement of
51
109|CVoz0, to keep from corn
Cms', to prevent the for-
ages
,- to preserve in sacks
Wto, improvements-ID) for
preserving wine
57
56
164
165
mation of in kettles 163
Cucumbers, new method of
raising 267-
Curiosities, rules for collect-
ing on sea voyages
14.9
Currier^ s~Oil, substitute for !'..^
Currant-Wins, to make 20"
145-
hints relating to
412
i.VDIA.
. :
to prevent polish-
Page
d, tukiiiL" rust
7G
to preserve in bottles 202
D
fry, proper temperature
for M9
Diti/ij) 7;W, to delect 15:;
, /r'i/i/a', m-rihod of
curing 10 {
V' j ren or 2 16
/H/r-?, to copy, \\ith
fixed materials
228-
, tracinu' paper for 228
, to traiisfer any
impression with vermil-
ion
, method of taking
off i*. 23O
, metbod of set-
ting pencil 229
, to preserve pen-
il <>r clii.lk ib.
, wash for- p re-
si nui;
-, to truce agniust
230
Decanters, to eJoan ~ i
. . /is? of, to rc-
m the liicht 228
TV ////on, to fncilitato - < ( , transparent pa-
JUt.^sn, niLihcd of to; y- p.T for 227, 229
in. v. (V r the .'urumer. to
;, to prevent io m -< a i I* :iJ-;int '202L,
100 Dry-Gil Hng, nn-thod of 74
' and sh'^-p 122 Ory< - '. to prepare
;; r.pi. r to water rnre lor 350"
in 2:5') - , t;ie cause and pre-
, < i. in ) '<.' vcntion l'
.
:"
.i-'
p- i:i
)
-, to know .
ni.i'l or /
, lo | r ^nt the mis-
:,, ; -ile
ofi! m 28C
! ' .. u r ; r-!' ns cleared of
575
, method of fnjtten-
nar
/ 'uiig'ti Is. compost i'/r 47
/'-/ : ','>ty ol tile-?, to i:i-
103
-, litjuid for ?tain-
10.; '". !">ne or wood of dil-
! r ,:
rt of dyeing
Di ' - / -.
re\--nt-
." : Ml'
10 ' n' r glo 234
/)(/. . pertiep | , to stain ^vooil
of. h ,\\ ascertained ?'&.
, to improve
Drwned I < x,/t.--, meihod
of
I
make
, to stain wood red ib.
- en, to
, to ren-
der risri-t.-'f. ' to those in
danger of bei
i to make
' cotton a
coloi.r ,li
, suLsti'iute
in dyeinr b!;c <
Pa tre.
yellow or green,
method of
to stain horn n imi-
tation of tortoise-shell,
. substitute for verdi-
235
ib.
gri?, in dyeing black,.
E
ex-
Ensence of ilowers to
tract
of soap, for shav-
326.
Evergrcen Hedges, to train 44
Erperimertf. with manures, 48
Eye, rules for preserving the
sight of 283, et sei,
to cure a bruise in
287
Ear, to attract car-wigs out I
of the
, to cure a pain in the
Marfh-Worms, to destroy
Eartcigs, to destroy
, to kill such as may
have crept into the ear,
, to preserve flowers
from
Eart/icnware^new varnish
for
the
broken
cement to join
Economy,
of making
C7
in thatching,
in fuel,
in tinder,
in candles,
Eau de Luce, to make
Edgings, to make
, Bax, to eufr
Eggs, to preserve, for
Yength of time 173,:;
FJdr;>; a preservative ror
piaut,: against insects and
flies,
= Win c y to make
Embankments^ to prevent
mischief to sea
Engravings^ to clean
Essences and Essential Oils,
to make without the help
of fire or distillation, 3i6, 327
Essential -3 ali of Lemons, to
326,
: of malt, to extract 1GOJ
295
B ib.
F'
374
ib.
Farmers, useful hints to 39
Farm-Offices, ib.
295
F allow- G rounds t to employ
s
to advantage 37
257
Feathers, method of clear-
h
ing, from their animal oil 7~
363
Fed, to prevent corns grow-
n
ing on 296
131
Fence, making and man-
d
agement of 43, ei scq*
40
Ferment, tor-making bread, 166
39
F iit nil ion of water. 1 94, 1 !:.">
217
Fire, hints respecting wo-
/. 218
men's and children's
220
clothes catching 142
329
, method to , ^escape
2j2
from 244
ib.
, to extricate horses
a
from 243
1,212
^^"1^*0X^071^ rl O X" CTO^l^G
prcvclll IJclV -slaX JvS
>r
taking 52
d
T i-\ r> * j-\ i-v r\ v\ ^-'-..i-v -^j-^ *~l^"' *~^ *'* ' ' "
Gl
, to preserve wood
204
from, and from decay, 106
it
f/-* r-. V* .^-iT f\ m 4- ry-yo-irJ*>,,-, 4~ f*
39
by leaving pokers in the 223
322
, to render water effi-
cacious in extinguishing
, dull, to revive
, to prevent wood, lin-
2lo
396 -
244 -
make
en, fee. catching
, to extinguish speed-
ily 545 .
K
Page.
*lrms< the necessity of
precaution in loading 24.>
, Buttle, to make the 239
, method of extinguish-
ing, in chirnnies 24.}
, Lule, to prepare 128
, Places, to improve
chimney 105
, H'orks, improvements
in making 250
Fish, to cure tainted i >~
, to intoxicate
, to preserve in the Por-
tuguese manner, 1 "/ "
Fisin/t^, rules lor 61!
LincSjto prevent the
rotting of
P
ing and extracting esien-
' ~-
ces from
-, easy method
of dyeing,
fi'jds, to preserve
-, to make cork rio .ts
for
67
ib.
6i
67
GG
75. K/0
, to make quill floats
for
' . ^i''?fitntc- for
I'jr
Bl<n. n SI ml, to purify
Fleas, remedy against
, t<> destroy 380, 31'!'
FiuiL-GUn. r,(i;t'f!t, to ckaii 17-1
f-" Ivors, meihod of making
durable barn 40, 41
Floats: See Fishing,
Moor-Cloths, to clean 17.i
Flfiui', to discover if adul-
terated 164
, method of making,
without grain, 166
I-' lowers, when to plant an-
nual and perennial 256
, to remove, in sum-
257
mer,
, to preserve from
slugs ib.
, to preserve the seed
of 258
- } method of preserv-
- , to grow during win-
ter, ' 257
Flues, cement for iron 12,-
Fly Watu\ to make
(-'lit t;i Turnip*, to prevent,
the 6J, 64
Food, Jlnimal, method of
preserving sweet 155, 156, 157
- , most proper for milch
co'
- , to prevent children
rating tooqnirkly 1G'>
I Jtuoms, to fumigate
, to purify the
117
155
199
air of
Furf i^n Seeds, rm thod of
'ilitatin^ the growth of 252
Foul, method to r a
ain in ti.<' 299
For<.t!-Tn t s to promote
the growth of 346-
Froil-bitti n vegetables, &c.
to recover
/'/' ' -ing, to prevent water-
pip'S in wiiit< r
Fruit, a method of preserv-
ing all the year
, to grow, during win-
ter,
frosted, to recover
, ripe, to manage for a
desert
, to take out
to cure, when
infected with au easterly
blight, 262
, bad effects of
iron nails on 2G1
, to destroy in-
sects on 378,379
, to improve, by
attending to the soil, 259
, Chinese ine-
J99
199
200
Jll
thod of propagating
, to prevent
415
Page.
from being damaged by
spring frost,
, or by hares or
258
rabbits, 260
-- , growth of, to
promote ib.
-, /Fa//, method of pruiv
ing
Fuel, economy in 217
Fumigating Cakes, to make 221
Fumigation Powder, to
make a valuable 2CO
Furniture, varnish for 176
FurS) to preserve 140
, methods of preserving
from moths ib,
Furse, very beneficial as a
wtiner food for horses, 121
G.
Galls, a substitute for, in
dyeing, 235
Game, method of preserv-
ing 1 55
Gardens cleared of vermin
by ducks, 375
Gargle for a sore throat, 302
Ganic, useful properties of 307
Gas-Light, method of pro-
ducing on a small scale 239
Geesse, method of fattening 183
, rules for plucking 184
- - , to improve the down
of ib,
- - , to ascertain the pro-
perties of goose down,
Gi'ding, iron or steel me-
thod of
- , Dry
- brass or silver, coin-
position for
Gilt Buckles and T&ys, to
clean
Gingerbread, the dan-
ger of children eating
Ginger Beer, to make
Glass-Stopples of smelling-
bottles^ how loosened, 162
Page.
Glass, cement to mend
broken 131
- , process for painting
on 241
- , to cut 75
- , to stop cracks in 133
- Globes, to silver 75
Glasses, to restore, when
tarnished, 174
Glaziers, to prevent the ef-
fects of the poison of lead
on . 287 .
Gloves, art of dyeing lea-
ther 234
Gold, to clean 74
- - and Silver Lace, to
clean 174
- ,-to clean and restore
its lustre, 74, 138
- , Shell, to make 74
- Ring, to take oil from
a finger 39ft
Glue, an excellent 125
- , Lip, for joining pa-
per,. silk, or thin leather, 126
- , common, useful pro-
perty of 127
- -, parchment 126
Gnats, to alleviate the pain
occasioned by the sting
of 300, 301
Gcos-eberry Caterpillars, to
destroy the
I'incgar, to
372
make 186
il>. \Goose-Down, to ascertain
the properties of 184
73 Grass, usefulness of 219
74 , Ointment, to
make 298
ib. Quills, Dutch method
of preparing, for writing 83
139 i Granaries, poplar wood for
the flooring, a preventive
]7ti against the destruction of
97 corn by weevils and in-
sects, 42
iXLFX-
Grt: , to deslror ver-
Page.
370
Pae.
Hair, superfluous, to re-
mm m .' move
.-. t -> preserve 19G, 251! preparation of a liquid
//';':.", to make, 204| to convert red or !i
399
, a .substitute
coloured into a deep
for eolft o 17J brown, ', 3C'7
suss. >//-/ 1</, recommend- j Poicdcr, to know
cd for hoy, 57 whether adulterated \\ith
Lanrfs, to protect from lime, 33""..
C3 , to per hi me
. en to rut f.jr
hay 5s
* / rr . . .'od
cfcUi'i
->/'"'>-, mr-thod of
cli- : i
cloths
Hall /''/' >/?'?i/,f, mixture
for i r -
; . in in ! to recovi r
17
vi-j'.'-nt .-jTain in (he
enl -i< .- ni-
" IV
IVCS of bo>/iv-. )![> r,
, to
c-nce Ir in the ' -<~\'~\
ti n of tl
//'//.<, viruish fur straw
. hip l
* ' from
340
from
Iher
, to j r< v
t. : hy rain,
<-j>ot-
wheels,
Gr*
, t j staiu paprr or
parchmeiit
11 iti/, striped gras?, rrcr.ni-
I
;-, to prevent tak-
to make f>-r
6 re,
cal-
- ^
.
119
-, virtues of, I T
. cattle,
Hoi' . For, \Ha& '-.'"''"-, to preserve fur
1 man.. . ->f I, months 200.
b "1 j -A*.;/, tfic usefulness of
if forming and ..i- ir Jtrcwinc; 100.
ing a 1": ; 'llxt'ili, rules for preserv-
;//; '-/. . DSC C ;". in ;.' . in'; in u inter 277 .
r, to destroy .-. > \ .to train -j 1
tincture i.ir t : ;, a Mih.-ititute for 75,-!'
. rules I'-r PP -nvi:-,?; '"J 1 ! Herb?. \-.-. ]r t i-vrve
ru/H, va' perti
the rh rry-ti'
liar rets, \^ i/r v/n
, to .uerease the
'
247
force . -t
damaged
--, to
and !:i sum-
mer to be trail.' planted in
to
II
to increase the
growth of
ihj evening, . 2." 7 .
Herb-Ten, to nrike Rritivh 210
recover '1-Ii-m'ifst:'^ (.V .) cure for
'A. 1 burns and scalds. 293
Honey^ meihnd ol increas-
ing (lie <j>!antity of 13,
.'/ f)ln r. (.V. >>'.), her com-
33, 40-1
posii ion for painting,
318
INDEX,
Page.
4:1 ?
Hops, to extract the virtues
of in brev,*ir)2; 96
Horn, to stain, to imitate
t.-rtni'C shell, 236J
.U'jrnsls, method of destroy-
n
Ink. to proven I moulding, 31 G'
-- . to remove spot? of 342, 345
- . permanent, for mark-
ing linen, 145, 311
Inftc lion, to prevent 280 ~
fforse-Cliesnitts, method of
extracting starch from 86
, utility of in
b] :>.chin2f. 96
?.Jor.*es, to extricate from .
fire 243
, to cure the cholic
in
30 Insects, a varnish for pre-
serving
365
-, methods of destroy -
"--- , utility of- carrots
for
- inferior to oxen
ing those which attack
. fruit-trees, 371. el scq,
Irish Sell JJ utter, method
of taking off the rank-
ne<5,- 167
242j/''"on J useful process -relative
to.' 76, el scq,
, to prevent rusting, 76, 178.
45
-, uii.'i'.y of furz? for J21
House-Drains, Q prevent
the disagreeable smell
rising from 22*
Hungary- Water, to ma!re 329
Ifyslerics, method of pre-
venting the.
-, to clvar, from rust,
-- , to gild
76
73
,
279
I
Impression, to transfer any,
with vermilion 2"29
~. of leaves - and
plants, method of takj,;cr
off 79
on paper, . from
- , lead-coloured paint,
to preserve and make 314
Moulds, to lake out
of linen 342
.\'ciits. bad effects of,
on fruit trots, 261
ivory, to soften 77
f.eaies, for rninia'ture
painters to propers 324 "
Ivi.-. ,r round, the uses of,
'in ale 97"
designs made on stone, 24Q Jessamine pomatum, to
Incense, cakes of, for per- make.
fuming apartments, 221 j
Isik, an indelible writing 313! K
~ , China, 310)
, Indian, substitute for ib. Kale, Scotch, excellent for
326
-, to make
ib.
313
3)1
cattle
114
Ketchup, Walnut, to make 201
Koumiss, to make
, of.the
, Printing, to make
-*-, Red 309
, Sympalhctfo or Invisi-
ble 31 2 j ;
-T-, to make a black jap-
an 309 1 Lore, gold and silver, to
- 9 excellent to make ' 7 ' cle-'u
38:
EX;
., to r-r'M'or.t the
I I
.'.ce of, \)i-'^\ f ; Uprtfql
, eco.iomical v, ; ick?
for
:nent in ma-
ouring
, waste, advanta-
t^ou.-ly plr.r.ted with al-
.'PI-
''.'!., remedy for the
. ore of
J.,7 '-/-.?, hint? to
L, mc'!!i.-d oi"c;Ji-h ;
. i r-i-, and b> .-
Rii, ti) obtai i v.n'iujjiic
m
Lavender, to raako q-ilut-
esscnce of
225
ib.
of preserving b:rd3 and
beasts
">t,
14G
a continual
*ihl, to make
Limestone, method of ascer-
taining its properties >
i/.t/ifrt, caution ia washing 1L*3
| , to take- mildews
38 out of 186
I , to perfume 14f-
-, to rt-slore icorch-
vd M' :
tion of, to detect
H'ul<:r, to make
Leather, process for pre
p.ariri^ r.'uroi. i for
stains fro in
G.'a:---, art ofilyo-
for rnarkii)
, the f'lii!';.': of
in r> ;;
143
i:ig ?pots or stains in
-- , to render leoS com-
bustible 241
?i, to prevent, from
taking fire
Leaves of Tr^ct, mv^ho.l cf
. i'i ; off impressions
\vi,f:n,
il>.
Lir.sccff'Oil, tovhiten
famish, to
re
Lip-Salve., to make
j Glue, to make 1
, cluippod or sere, rc-
be collected for
.
to
o'f a
Leccftc.i, o!i--rv..ti'.,..
i', .".
mody for
Lute, 'F< r c : to pu- -
, co'4
40,;
ii^ a lon^' voya;.'-*, the.
j.iii'c iif
Juice, to purify
ItilU-rs, to ^i'd, on vellum
or paper J " ! .
, to {. rve from
being opened
to copy, without
the use of a cf uyii: g ina-
o:
ch.
Lever's (Sir A.;, nvfho-J
'-.:, method of tlh-
/,/' . balls for beau-
' ing
, suhj-titutr f-r
furniturp, to : loan 174
uf, f..r i>:- wing 100
Spirit, mcihod of giv-
ing it the flavour c;
brandy 1
in-*, MI jeties in, to i;)-
c re a ?(- '
raa'st-r
frlanwes, in general
-- , cornpost ma-
Page
47
nures
experiment in
oaanuiing land
, for Clorer
, pigeon's dung use-
ful as a
.Warble, method of clean-
ib.
48
47
ib.
175
93
50
Matlrasses, hints relating to 145
Meat, to purify fly-blown
155, 156
ing
to
books or paper,
Marie, method of ascertain-
ing its properties
Page
Milk, tc keep 21-:
, to make old man's ib,
, of Roses, to make 32G
Milking of cows, directions
for 150
Mildew, to take out cf lin-
en 186
Mites or Weevils, method
of destroying, in grana-
ries 59
Molasses, rendered fit for
u?ing instead of sugar 114
Moss, to destroy, on trees 261
Moths, preventives against
the ravages of the 140, 146
Mourning-Buckles, to
, to sweeten tainted 157
, to preserve in long
voyages ib.
, improved mode of
salting 167
. to preserve, in hot
weather 156
, to preserve in the Por-
155
156
71
tuguese manner
-, to preserve by trea-
cle
Med.tls, to take off
Melons, to prevent irregu-
lar growth of
Mcszotmtos, to make
268
323
Mice, to prevent destroy-
ing early-grown peas -64, 269
Milch Coics, additional
quantity of milk by keep
ing in the house
117
great increase
-of milk from feeding with
sainfoin 116
for
Milk,
-, most proper food
to make artificial
117
make blue
Mouse-Trap, a nsver fail-
ing
-71
356
202
268
Mum, to make
Mushrooms, to produce
Mutton, to preserve good,
during a voyage to the
.West. Indies 156
N
Nails, bad effects
of,
on
fruit-trees 261
(human) to preserve 399
Nankeen-Dye, to make
asses 7
.1
Naples Y elivw, to prepare
the
Noon, way of determining
the exact time of the
Norfolk, mode of fattening
turkies
Nose, to stop the bleeding
of
Nutmegs, to judge the prop-
erties of
, economical UPC of
235
317
80
404
303
401
ft.
Human, substitute
to take
the turnip off 150, 168.
for 213
, to take the taste of
14 Nuts, Cashew, to make a
wholesome food of 220
, Hazel, to preserve
fur na oaths 200
42'J
INDLX.
, Hazel, ttic uscf-amesi
cf, ia brewing
O
XT"?/s, to keep from becom-
ing musty
'./. .Irumatir. to obtain
'rnia the peliicle of the
lanru?, sassafras, and
'3.7
-, Currier's^ substitute
I
dry and cease to *meli in
s-ix hours iO'C
Pai.itcrx, to prevent the t-f-
i- ts of the poison of lead
on 237
Painting, Mr?. Hooker" -
composition i r 310
, room>, rui!.-?., &c. di-
rection? for 31.5
, process for, on glass Oil
(Oil) toU-an
ts, a
preservng
for
. S ', to make
--- , Di-yinX) to prt pare 113
---- uf Lan:ndi r, to know
if aclulterat( -I
n //:'. . -i'o.
PapfT) to render less com-
bustible 2U
.n -*, mctlrad of 177
*
, to iild letters c.n :IMO,
. l'< in/j -uii-iitiii.' for
inliiigx, to V; u ;-J-J
^ vanii-h lo r ,>'> I
. 10 ublain a good
:.'.,r ar.. .
Or.O./rx, tn k' ' p 1!'7
O//M /.f /.'/. , t inake
/;.
, cr /'.>/
stain crimson
*krntnt) to
_. . f n
sf;;m <- r, - n
5
f^,
stain yriiow
~J
. .-^_ . tn
prcM-nt from
--, 10
Hiik;/., r
to
*
, to
r trom
t, Glue, to make
Paint, cheap, far wea(i> -
bo:, 44,
-, 0/7, substitute f.-r 313
, l>lnch) to make a
<! ap 31.3
-, llrnirn, to uroki^ a ?!>.
. .V ilk-icitH 1 ') tu make
a a-'-od -10-2
^
-, Trajvtparent) loju
of
324
eov\-n with rape-
seed, a preservative a-
g'aii.^t the resp in '-heep, 123
l*tti-*:ii)>S) productive uf
u:i;k in cow.-, 117
, to preserve dur-
59
ing winter
or J-'o'id, for singing
birds, to
22)
, Lead-coloured) to
mak' 1 ri, t i pr :-.TV i.'ou 311
, to take {iic sjiir!!
r nis 17P.
. bookbinder's strong,
ii'ike patent
for wcrking
lin, (o stencil
Ptn-niiiriit, mixture for
White,
, advantage of sowing,
i Zj
in circle?,
I-NDEX,
421
Page.
Peers, great advantage gain-
ed by the cultivation of
the everlasting, as a crop
for cattle, 114
, to prevent mice des-
troying early sown 64, 269
Pencil and Chalk Drawings,
to preserve
229
Pagt-
Plants, to preserve the co-
lour of the petals of 73
, to air in rooms 250
, to preserve the seeds
of those in a state of vege-
tation, 251
, to take impressioDS
of 7&
Drawings, method of
setting
Papperf description of, and
to make Cayenne
Perfumes, preparation, &c.
of
Perspiration of the hands,
inconvenience of, to pre-
vent
Petals of plants, to preserve
the colour of
Pewter, to clean
Phantasmagoria, to make
transparent screens for
Phosphorus, to make
. Bottles, to -make
230
266
32,:
185
Plated Goods, to clean.
-, to make pow-
der for
Plaster Casts or Models, to
varnish
139
01 rt
O/T
ou-
to harden
307
figures
.. to bronze,
70
Ploughing with Oxen, great
45
advantage of
73 Poison of the Deadly Night
tihade, cure for the 289
of lead, to painters, to
prevent the ill effects of
, to counteract 4he ef-
fects of
173
241
395
239 & 240
Match-Bottle,
to make
Pencil, to make
Pigeonf-Dung, utility of, as
manure,
* , method of fatten-
ing, see Poultry.
Pigs, profitable way of fat-
tening,
239
ib.
47
116
287
Pokers, improperly left in
the fire,
Polished Iron Stoves, to
clean
Pits, to purify the muddy
water of 191
fismires, to prevent the in-
crease of, in grass lands, 63
Plantations, method of pre-
venting hares and rabbits
Metal, to keep from
rust
Pomade-Divine, to make
Ponds, method of draining
ia level ground
, to keep free from
weeds
289
223
178
Pomatum, to make
hard and soft
7G
331
43
42
both
320, 331
from barking 260
Pla?i!s, preservation of suc-
culent
, preserved from in-
sects and flies by the ap-
plication of elder, 61
* , improper to be wa-
tered in dishes, 25 (i
Poplar-Wood, virtues of, for
flooring of granaries,
Poppy, to make sweet oil
from
-, useful properties of
4-2
lfl.5
303
295
1
i9\P6rter Plaster, for bruises,
^ mode of pre-
serving fish and meat, 155
Potatoes, instructions for
raising
56
L L
.
Page
Potatoes, method of preserv-
ing 1^& 199
from
to make bread
, to restore when
1C;
frost-bitten,
, to make size from 12/>
Poaltry, to fatten
, new method of rear-
ing 179, 182
Pounce, to rnrtke Ui
Pou:der, to iruike a valuable
fumigation,
E, tO "
the ii! elite ts of humidity
to
Primrose-Vinegar, to make 1M.
Prinlui^-Ixk* to make oil
Prints t r /.' . method of
cleaning dirty
3JJ
'
to take a copy uf
ly,
Print f, t prevent disagree-
able mell.- ir in
Pruning if If'till-I'mit,
I'lKlS,
R
Po
Radishes, method of culti-
vating
Ranhiess of butter to cure 107
Rats, Dr. Taylor's method
of destroying 337
, and other vermin, me-
thod of de.-tr..y ing, 336,339
Razor-Sirups, management
of -JJ^
Xpttrfrr, the useful pro-
pertie- 2iJG
Refrigerator or Conde:u.r, a
cheap t ,
tilts, to kill
p in S/tvffj, parsley sown
with rapeseed, a preserv-
ative against
3753
10::
26-1
make t xi-.-lk-nt 202
Purity of spirits, to try
Putrefaction, to preserve
biscuit from
Pulty, to make
16-1
Q
Q'lickstt Hedge or
n.ake a
Qiticksilvtr,
.; r^, to
43
Qut'ls, to make flouts from
lor liiliin CC
Rheumatisms, preventive of
autumnal
'Jiubarb, Gard'n, to culti-
vate
-. Turk i'. method of
27
culth . curing,
f; ;n the
r-
to purii'y the muddy
273
19!
, embankments of, to
prevent from being injur-
( ..\ on
\jj
, to repair near coal-
mines, G4
;, to air plants con-
tained in 250
, to uiniigate and pu-
rify foul 280
, to t^ke the saieil
of pain f from
-, ventilator for
of trcus
, metliod of clarifying 83 use of
-, to harden
ib.
, Dutch method of
preparing for writing, ib.
Quinlescence of lavender to
extract
J26
RVSCF, to grow during wic-
ter,
, milk of
, to make otto of
, (he water from
'
II
326'
INDEX.
423
Page.
, the cause and preven-
tion of the dry 350
, in shrep, cure of the 123
easy method
of preventing the
Hast, to clear iron from
, to prevent cutlery
taking
- - , to" take off steel
- , to prevent iron and
steel taking
Russian mode of construct-
ing artificial stone-floors,
Rye-Grass, when to cut, lor
'bay,
178
76
177
178
100
Sage, the virtues of 210
Saint foin, productive of
milk in cows, 116
Salad, to raise quickly 398
Satt Butter, to make fresh 168
Scalds, cures for 293, 294, 399
, vinegar efficacious in
the cure of 294
Scorched Linen, to restore 146
Scotch Kale, an excellent
food for cattle. 114
Screens, transparent, for the
Phantasmagoria, 241
Scurvy, to cure the 219, 298
Sta embankments, to pre-
vent mischief to 9
Sickness, to prevent 301
Water, to render fit to
wash linen,
193
to make artificial 383
Seeds, Foreign, method of
facilitating the growth of 252
, to preserve from ver-
min when sown, 51
.- , to preserve, in a state
for vegetation, 251
, of flowers, to pre-
serve, 258
, ea?v method of dis-
covering, when sufficient-
ly ripe,~ 51, 251
, preparation for wing-
ed 57
Shaving, composition for 222
Sheep, to preserve, in win-
ter,
, to prevent the resp in 123
, to prevent and cure
the rot in #>
. cure of the rot in ib*
, the wool of, improv-
ed by smearing, 122
, to mark, without in-
jury to the wool, ib. 40S
Shell Gold, to make 74
Sherbet, to make 203
Skips, to stop the progress
of fire on board of 246
, method of trying the
goodness of timber used
in the arsenal at Vienna,
for building,
Shoes, easy method of clean-
ing in winter,
, danger of putting spi-
rits into
, to prevent taking wa-
ter,
Shrubs, superfluous suckers
should be taken o9>
Sick Persons, fumigation for
the rooms of
, cautions in visiting
Sight, rules for the preserv-
ation of
Silk, method of cleaning
, to take stains of
grea?e out of
Stockings, to clean
Worms, the outside
woof of, an excellent
styptic,
Silver, composition for gild-
ing
Goods, to clean
Silvering, art of
Simple Waters, method of
distilling
350
136
147
138
261
221
278
283
141
344
146
302
74
138
75
153-
1XDEX.
Pae
Size, to make from pota-
toes
Skif-RocJ:cls, to make
'gs, to prevent getting in-
to iYi.il trees
Sleep, to promote
Sm ill-Pox ^
.-us improves
of sheep
\ 2.j
249
307
278
396
the
122
Smtl,s, disagreeable in
house-drains, method of
prevenlii _;
101-
-- , in newly painted
room?, to remove, 1"' :
Snti, ing-B . to make
an excellent
Spots or Stains, reeript for
removing ( J : 2, 340, 3 i:,
Sprains, remedy for 29 &
Spruce-Beer, to make 160
Spurge* useful properties of
the r.,!
hiuts for
ventilatin
270
7 il/r the lirar, >, 33.3
Starch, to extract, from
hor^e-clu ?nuts
,
of cleanin
-, to prevent rutting
-, method of cleaning
. ;:i wheat, preventives
riMy
of, i . -r\t,
for fertilizing wheat,
86
178
76
177
73
5J
of
, to d.
t n C/tew, to make 178
Xoaji. ;i liquid which may
LC ueed in:- lead of soiu-
lijn.sof 84
, Essence nf } for shav-
>- of lift--, gnats, or
, to make Jamaica re-
207
.Me
, substitute for
, to make cenuine
Windsor 331
, to make Lady Der-
by's 209
Sore Lips, remedy for
- Throat, to cure a
40J
ai /iL :J, te
construe t
-. method of cleaning
Straw, to bleach
S:>\nf>crries, directions for
airing, in summer
Strawberry-Plant*, to pre-
serve from the heat of the
sim
Stone Stairs, mixture for
cleaning
300
100
178
90
271
of
--, a driuk for a ,,''.'
, gargle for ib.
Sophistication of oils to de-
tect 7"
?, rules for choice
Icr, to destroy the red 370'
Spirits, to improve the taste
and s rue 11 of common Ij2
, danger of pulling in
shoes or boots -\~i
-, to try their purity 3'Jo 1
Striped
ed for hay,
, recommend-
Stuchum or Perpetual /;;/;,
to make
Styptics to stop bleeding,
cf Lead, to detect in
win-. 1
, use of, for destroy-
ing insect*. \i<-.
immtr, a pleasaot drink
for the
virtues of the
Swedish method of raisin-.:
Spirituous Lifjuoit, to cure . turkief,
bud flavour of \j2 : SuorJf ; to make blue
ib.
17 J
51
313
302
205
Cl
INDEX-.
Page.
Table-Beer, substitute for
, to make excel-
lent
Tables, to clean mahogany
Tainted Fish, to cure
Tar-Water, useful in ex-
panding the lungs
Tartar, to remove from the
teeth
Taylor, Dr. his method of
destroying rats
, his method of
ascertaining the proper-
ties of marie, fcc.
Teams, aud their manage-
ment, 45
Tea, British, a substitute
for foreign
- , Hay, virtues of, for
cattle 115,
, Beefi to maks
, British Herb, to make
, Kettles, to prevent the
formation of crust ia
- , Urns, polished, prefer-
able to varnished
Teeth* charchoal good for
cleaing
, rules for preserving
, to remove tartar
from .the
, to facilitate children
in cutting
and GuniSj tincture
for the
Temperature proper, for a
d: iry
Thatching, to effect a sav-
ing in the article of
Tidrst, to prevent, at sea,
in cases of emergency
Thunder Powder, to make
Tiles, to increase the dura-
bility of, for covering
buildings 103.
160
97
174
155
279
292
337
50
,46!
Pagff.
Tiling, economical method
of
Timber* cure for the dry rot
lit
151
21C
16!.
22!
156
291
29*
290
292
149
in
method of trying
the goodness of, for ship-
building, used in the arse-
nal at Vienna
, , green to season and
105
35Gk
ib,
30
211
241
402
render fit for use
Tinder, economy in 218
Toast and Water, to make,
and advantages of
Tobacco, the great uliiity of 275
Tooth-Ache, to prevent 291
Powders, to make
Toys, gilt, to clean
Tracing-Paper, method of
using
Transparent Colours for
Painting, to judge of
Screens, to
103
29-:
228
32-t
make
Paper, for
Drawing, .to make
Treacle, to preserve meat
with
Trees, composition for heal-
ing wounds in
, economical use of
roots of
, the leaves of, to bo
collected for pharmaceu-
tical purposes
, the roots of f;r and
24 1
34"?
T. '
<,'-_
6
piae, yield pitch and
, to avoid obstruction
in the growth of forest 3-J"
, to cause a new bark
to grow on old 34?
, uscHsl properties of
their roots 22tl
, sucker?, rupcr^uou.'j
to be removed 261
, to cure ihe canker
in
, to destroy cater-
pillars OQ
82, '63,
L -2
Page. 1
Trees, to destroy moss on 261
-- , to increase the
growth of 2bO, 346
--- . to prevent slugs get-
ting into fruit 378, 397
-- . to propagate 259
-- , white washing re-
commended for the trunks
of 346
Tub-'B alter, method of cur-
in* 167
Turkey-Carpet*, method of
cleaning 17 j
-- Rhubarb, method of
cultivating and curi;i-.
Page
Varnish, colourless, of mas-
tic and sandrac 356
- - , for violins and mu-
sical instruments ib.
observations on
Spirit I'arnishes 357
- , on oil varnishes 358
- , black japan 360
-- , common ib.
, wit I) turpentine ib.
- , elastic gum ib. 361
, amber 362
from thi- seed
J7.' f '27 J
^ method of raising
, to fatten, accord-
mar to t'< Ik plan 401
per boil for the
rultiv ati:j of 374
, to destroy the lly,
&LC. in 63
, to preserve from
frost 59, 60
, to protect them
from the slug 63
U
Umbrella^ excellent varnish
for
Useful Arts,
-10
, lor drawings and
prints tb. 368
, for plaster casts or
medals
, for brass 368
, Clnncst 360
, to prevent the solar
r;iy. ; passing through win-
dow's
, seed -lac
-, sheil-
ib.
ib.
, a black, for straw
hats 139
, excellent for um-
brellas 405
, for ( arthenware 363
, for engravers ib,
_ ? fo r fu mi t u re 176, 363
, for oil paintings 36-1
,. for preserving in-
s< ts '
, f- r pales
oOj
366
's Paint, to dry
and cease to smell withia
?ix hours 40^
.-t* noxious, in wells,
-- ^-. fc r toilet boxr=.
'
--- , [reparation of co-
pal '.361,364
-- , to make gold 3 ;7,
^ 359,367
-- , to make wi 3G4
-- , to prepare linseed
oil 365
to remove 384. T~. .% to rvstore, when
, game drives a- fV si bitten
way 307i T -'c,'/M//i, t^ -rild letters on 393
Varnish, observations on -Velvet, method of Halting
preparing and using
} with spirit of wine 356
was out of
: : :
IffDEX*
427
Page
Velvet, to raise the surface
or pile of 345
Venomous Animals, to pre-
vent death from the bite
of 289
Ventilators for rooms 108
Verdigris, blue colour pre-
pared from 314
, substitute for
237, 238
Verjuice, to make 186
Vermin, method of destroy-
ing 31Q,etseq>
, to destroy in chil-
dren's heads 379
, to preserve seeds
from, when sown 51
Vessels for culinary purpos-
es, necessary hints to
those who use copper 2241
Vinegar, to make balsamic
and anti-putrid 138, 281
, efficacious in the
cure of burns or scalds 294
, to strengthen 188
= , Gooseberry, to
make ib.
, to prepare aro-
matic 332
= , to make prim-
rose 188
, cheap method of
186
, to make with the
refuse of bee-hives 187
Vines, important uses of the
leaves of 219
, to prune advanta-
geously 264
making
W
87
Wafers, method of making
Wall-Fruit, method of pre-
serving 109
Walnui- Ketchup, to make 201
Walls, to cure damp 103
Warming Beds, hints on 158
Page
Warts, curs for 296
Wash, for preserving draw-
ings 230
Wasps, cure for persons
having accidentally swal-
lowed 300
, method of destroy-
ing 380-
, or Bees, to cure the
sting of 300, 301
Waste Lands,, advanta-
geously planted with al-
der 38
Water (Toast and Water)
! to make and its advanta-
ges 193
, easy method of ob-
taining 42
, Artificial^ for writ-
ing letters of secrecy 338, 389
, Hungary, to caake 329
^ to keep free from
weeds, artificial pieces
of 42
, of rivers and pits, to
purify the muddy ' 192, 193
Proof Cloth, to make 141
, Putrid, to make
sweet 188, 191
, to preserve from
putrefaction, in long voy-
ages 157
, to prevent from free-
zing in winter 192
, to obtain pure and
soft, for medicinal pur-
poses, without distillation 192.
, to filter 194, -195
, to make more effica-
cious in extinguishing
fires ' 245
. to purify, for domes-
tic purposes 190
, to prevent boots and
shoes taking
Tar,
m ex-
138
279
p and ice 1 the
, io uike spots out of
cwihs, be, 344
Page.
JCaler, -Sea, {a: .i;:-:iui) to
make 333
, (o make, lU for
washing linen at sea,
, /form, properties of
193
Wctcrs, Simple, method of
distilling 15G
vr-G/orfjcYf, to make
bread from 16";
War, to bleach bec, i 1 1
, to dissolve, in watrr, o'b
, to take, out of velvet, 34-
'f xit'irr. to jml'^e of the
'
Boarding^ compo-
sition for preserving 107, 316
TTtt.'.s-. ust iu!i;<--~ of moving 65
' . to preserve- sca-
to di.pi :v.- the noxi-
ous vapours found in 384
//"(/ ( 7":7'C5, to prevent dan-
;p. 1 ' .
nt, approved method of
ing 55
, strrp for 5.'>
, to prevent the smut
in . r'j.
Flour, to judge of the
quality of 162
, to a-rrrtain if it }n>
adulterated |j.;, 164
, to sr\v, to advan-
tage, without mauure,
, utility of sou ing
buck 56
, to protect from
r ib.
White Paint, to make
Wine, to make an excellent
family
, to make birch-tree
, British Champagne,
to make
Wine, to make currant
, to make elder
, to make grape
, to make koumiss
, to make orange
, excellent American
U'ood, cement for preserv-
ing, ! n damp situations
to make a liquid for
-20 1
20
ju 1
ib.
38.x
236
34'" 1
staining
, to preserve from
catr.hing fire, and fr ><n
decay 106,
, to stain, a beautiful
red
, to stain, a fine
black
. I.-, -f-.iji a i:reen
L.ICC, to d* -troy
l\'<K,f\ the utitMfle of f-ilk-
na-j an excellent styp-
tic,
/r;w/, infested with insects,
<" purify
ll~(jul f Shctpi improved
by Piueariug,
Ir'finlli ti-L'luthx, mcthoi of
discharging grease-spots
from
, to prevent
234
16.
J1 t
302
141
the ravages of moths in
, method of
cleaning
//'icAu, economical f r lamp-,
IVir.-'-tor Suay;, to make ge-
nune
O01
ft r i .e t a test for discovering
metals in, r' at art.- injnri-
u' ' . .-hc-alth, 206
, to discover adulterat-
ed il.
Stuff*, to bleach
to render water-
proof
r,n<, to destroy in gar-
dens
in the human body,
to cure
''oiinJr, to prever.t from
moi tifying,
341
MO
90
141
INDEX.
Page.
Wounds in Trees, composi-
tion for healing
Wren, insects destroyed by
the 382
Writing, method of recov-
ering decayed
secret methods of
QOQ OOQ
OoO OOt7
, to make durable 391 !
* . * ir~t fi ." i
Page,
-, to revive old
, with different
colours on tho same pa-
393
Feast, to make
, to make artificial
, to make ia the Turk-
ish manner, *&
, method of preserving ib,
__ , substitutes for 98, 99,
161,1 GO
per,
dark,
-, to write in the
-, crnamenfal
-, to take out
390
392
yellow, method of dyeing 236
pies
, to prepare the Na-
, to stain paper or
parchment
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giers by the French, has made known a
new cement used in the public works fif that
city. It is composed of two parts of ashes
three of clav and one of sand. This compo-
sition called by the Moors " Fabbi." being
mixed with oil, resists the inclemencies of
the weather belter than marble itself.
to
Cure for tl lf . Piarrha:a.-1\K following is said
be a certain cure for Diarrlura. ' Parch halt a
nt rice until it is perfectly brown boil
.jii.. ,1 frit it solwlv. and it will stop
pint rice until it is
[-fee is usually clone-eat it solwly, and
.he must alarming Diarrhoea, in a lew hours.
AHS\V OWEll,
HAS JUST PUBLISHF.n AND OFFERS FOR SALE,
History of Connecticut,
IN TWO VOLVMI8 OCTAVO,
MAR 1 3 1939
