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Classic
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page 210
Cleaning Cellars.--Rats, Roaches.
In the spring, cellars should be swept, and all refuse vegetables taken out; if
left till warm weather, they will become putrid, and endanger the health of your
family. The sprouts should be rubbed from the potatoes; all the barrels should
be moved and swept under. Have boards laid on the floor for meat and fish
barrels, and after they are emptied, have them washed and drained ready for use.
Empty flour barrels should be swept out and the heads and hoops saved. Have lime
sprinkled over the cellar floor twice during the summer, or oftener if it should
be necessary. If the windows are kept shut in warm weather, the air will be
unwholesome. Do not trust to servants, examine and see that it is done
thoroughly.
The apartments where cold meat and milk are kept should be cobwebbed and swept
once a week, and the safe washed out at least that often. If the cellar is paved
with brick, keep a part of it washed clean, to set cold meat and milk on; cover
them with tin pans and put a weight on the top if rats are troublesome. If there
are rat holes have them stopped with pieces of brick, and broken glass bottles;
never use ratsbane without the greatest caution, as it is a dangerous remedy. No
food or milk should be in the cellar at the time, and keep it locked up all the
while it is there. I have heard of lives being lost by it. Have water set about
in pans for the rats to drink, and after three days, clear it all away and have
the cellar cleaned and aired before putting any thing in it. Several persons
have been in great danger from burning the arsenic; when it is used it should be
put deep in the ground and covered up.
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