To Clean Lenses

Clean lenses as rarely as possible. Use old linen or a very soft chamois skin, but never use silk. If greasy, wet with a weak solution of cooking soda, and wipe dry with the cloth or chamois.

Flemish Ob Dark Oak Stain

First stain the wood with any thin black stain; the following being easily made: - Sulphate of iron, 2 oz. extract of logwood, 1-2 lb. carbonate of iron, 1 oz. vinegar, 1 quart. Boil over a slow fire for two or three hours and strain through a cloth. Then apply a coat of antique oak stain, made as follows : - Raw sienna is thinned with linseed oil and turpentine to the right consistency for the depth of color desired. Ivory black may be added if a very dark stain is wanted. If a filler is needed, use oak filler.

Waterproofing Shoes

Castor oil, well rubbed into the soles, seams and uppers of shoes will prevent to a large extent moisture from rain or snow from working through, and allow shoes to be polished with blacking. It is well however, to polish with blacking before applying the oil. Preparations with gums such as copal, eventually harden and cause cracks.