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Classic
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page 345
rods. Hide the corners where they are joined with ivy, or a vine made of
leather-leaves or handsome autumn leaves and the berries of bitter-sweet.
CEMENT FOR CHINA. --To a thick solution of gum-arabic add enough plaster of
paris to form a sticky paste; apply with a brush, and stick edges together.
TO HANG PICTURES.--The cheapest and best material with which to hang pictures is
copper wire, of a size proportioned to the weight of the pictures. When hung,
the wire is scarcely visible, and its strength and durability is wonderful.
CEMENT FOR ATTACHING METAL TO GLASS. --Mix two ounces of a thick solution of
glue with one ounce of linseed-oil varnish, and half an ounce of pure spirits of
turpentine; boil the whole together in a close vessel. After it has been applied
to the glass and metal, clamp together for two or three days, till dry.
TO CLEAN A PAPERED WALL.--Cut into eight pieces a large loaf of bread two days
old, blow dust off wall with a bellows, rub down with a piece of the bread in
half yard strokes, beginning at the top of room, until upper part is cleaned,
then go round again, repeating until all has been gone over. If done carefully,
so that every spot is touched, the paper will look almost like new. Dry corn
meal may be used instead of bread, applying it with a cloth.
A GOOD CEMENT --For mending almost any thing, may be made by mixing litharge and
glycerine to the consistency of thick cream or fresh putty. This cement is
useful for mending stone jars, stopping leaks in seams of tin-pans or
wash-boilers, cracks and holes in iron kettles, fastening on lamp-tops; in all
cases the article mended should not be used till the cement has hardened. This
cement will resist the action of water, hot or cold, acids, and almost any
degree of heat.
BADLY FITTING DOORS.--When blinds and doors do not close snugly, but leave
cracks through which drafts enter, the simplest remedy is this: Place a strip of
putty all along the jambs, cover the edge of the blind or door with chalk, and
shut it. The putty will then fill all spaces which would remain open and be
pressed out where it is not needed, while the excess is easily removed with a
knife. The chalk rubbed on the edges prevents adhesion and the putty is left in
place, where it soon dries and leaves a perfectly fitting jamb.
INDELIBLE INK. --Two drams lunar caustic, six ounces distilled or rain-water;
dissolve, and add two drams gum-water. Wet the linen with the following
preparation: Dissolve one half an ounce prepared natron, four ounces water, add
half ounce gum-water, (recipe below); after smoothing it with a warm iron, write
with the ink, using a gold, quill, or a new steel pen. The writing must be
exposed to a hot sun for twelve hours; do not wash for one week, then be
particular to get out the stain which the preparation will make. If this is
followed in every particular, there need never be a failure.
Gum-water for the above is composed of two drams gum-arabic to four ounces
water. One tea-spoon makes two drams, two table-spoons make one ounce. If at any
time the ink becomes too pale add a little of pure lunar caustic. Never write
without using the preparation, as it will rot the cloth.
TO PASTE PAPER ON TIN. --Make a thin paste of gum-tragacanth and water, to which
add a few drops of oil of vitriol. Mix a pound each of transparent glue and very
strong vinegar, one quart alcohol, a small quantity of alum, and dissolve by
means of a water-bath. This is useful for uniting horn, pearl, shell, and
bone.--B.H. Gilbert.
TO REMOVE GREASE FROM WOOD BEFORE PAINTING.--Whitewash the
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