How To Oil A Floor

Get common boiled linseed oil; heat boiling not, and while hot go over the floor, using an old paint-brush and keeping the oil hot all the time. Even if the floor is very rough and inclined to sliver, this will make a great improvement. Have the floor very clean before using. Two coats of oil may be needed if the floor is very bad; 1 tablespoonful of yellow ochre to 1 quart of oil makes it light. The same of burnt umber will color it dark.

How To Wash Dishes

Fill the dish-pan half full of very hot water and to that quantity add ½ or 2/3 cupful of sweet milk. It softens the hardest water, gives the dishes a clear bright look, and keeps the hands from Sroughening by the use of soap. It cleans the greasiest dishes without leaving the water covered with a scum. Kettles and pans that have had meat cooked in them should be half-filled with hot water and set back on the stove (a little ammonia in the water will help). Pour this out when ready and wash in hot milk and water. An easy method. To save still farther trouble wash the dishes as above, rinse in very hot water, lay a soft towel in the bottom of a large milk-pan or a broad, shallow willow basket and pack the dishes in this to drain. At meal time bring out the basket and set the table, being careful that there are no rough streaks on the china for sensitive finger-tips to feel. Wipe knives, forks and spoons as usual.

A Dish Mop may be made by fastening a quantity of candle -wicking or soft linen rags to a wooden handle the required length. The mop part should be five inches long when finished.

Old Newspapers

Old Newspapers are very useful in the kitchen. Polish the tea-kettle with some. If very smoky moisten and dip in a little soda. Rub again with a fresh paper and the result will be gratifying. The coffee-can may be treated in the same manner, while they will put the finishing touch to newly polished silver, and will be found excellent to polish stoves that have not been blackened for some time.

Brass and Copper Kettles may be cleaned with a bit of flannel dipped in kerosene.

Flat-irons may be rubbed in kerosene and scoured with sandpaper if rough.

Blacking for Stoves will take polish much more easily if a little turpentine or benzine is mixed with it. This rule is good: 1 pound of black lead, 1 gill of turpentine, 1 gill of water and 1 ounce of sugar. There will be a little odor when the fire is first lighted in the stove. Another way is to mix the blacking with warm suds or coffee.

How To Prevent Stoves Rusting

Before putting away for the summer mix the blacking with a little oil (sperm or kerosene) instead of water. This will prevent the summer rust.

Stove-pipes should be rubbed with kerosene before putting away in the spring. This prevents rust.

New tins should be set over the fire with "boiling water in them for several hours before food is placed in them.