Classic Cook Books
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page 341
from the other end. Carefully adjust the top to its place, gently pressing it
with soft towels, first down the middle of the breadth and then to each edge. In
turning a corner, paste only that part which belongs to one side, fasten it in
place, and then paste and adjust the rest. In selecting paper avoid contrasts in
colors and large staring patterns, as they are out of taste and tiresome to the
eye. Choose rather neutral tints and colors that harmonize and blend agreeably
together, and with the general tone of carpets and furniture. Even with a bare
floor and plain wooden chairs, the effect of a soft-tinted paper gives a vastly
different impression than if the wall is disfigured with glaring figures and
contrasting colors. If ceilings are low, heighten the appearance by a figure
which runs perpendicularly through the wall-paper; the effect produced is very
deceptive, the ceiling appearing much higher than it really is. Wall-paper is
half a yard wide, and about eight yards to the roll, so that it is easy to
estimate the quantity needed. It is wise always to get one extra roll for
repairs. After papering a room build no fire in it until dry.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.
On Monday, wash: Tuesday, iron: Wednesday, bake and scrub kitchen and pantry:
Thursday, clean the silver-ware, examine the pots and kettles, and look after
store-room and cellar: Friday, devote to general sweeping and dusting: Saturday,
bake and scrub kitchen and pantry floors, and prepare for Sunday. When the
clothes are folded off the frame after ironing, examine each piece to see that
none are laid away that need a button or a stitch. Clean all the silver on the
last Friday of each month, and go through each room and closet to see if things
are kept in order and nothing going to waste. Have the sitting-room tidied up
every night before retiring. Make the most of your brain and your eyes, and let
no one dare tell you that you are devoting yourself to a low sphere of action.
Keep cool and self-possessed. Work done quietly about the house seems easier. A
slamming of oven doors, and the rattle and clatter of dishes, tire and bewilder
every body about the house. Those who accomplish much in housekeeping--and the
same is true of every other walk in life--are the quiet workers.
SILVER-WARE.--When set away, keeps best wrapped in blue tissue-paper.
RED ANTS.--A small bag of sulphur kept in a drawer or cupboard will drive away
red ants.
ICY WINDOWS.--Windows may be kept free from ice and polished by rubbing the
glass with a sponge dipped in alcohol.
TO CLEANSE A SPONGE.--By rubbing a fresh lemon thoroughly into a soured sponge
and rinsing it several times in lukewarm water, it will become as sweet as when
new.
TO REMOVE GREASE SPOTS FROM CARPETS.--Cover spots with flour and then pin a
thick paper over; repeat the process several times, each time brushing off the
old flour into a dust-pan and putting on fresh.
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Classic Cook Books
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