This answers nearly as
well as the salts of lemon sold by apothecaries. If a lemon cannot
be easily procured, vinegar, or sorrel-juice, will answer. White soap
diluted with vinegar is likewise a good thing to take out ink spots.
STARCH.--Frozen potatoes yield more flour for starch than fresh ones.
The frost may be taken out by soaking them in cold water a few hours
before cooking; if frozen very hard, it may be useful to throw a
little saltpetre into the water.
FEATHERS.--It is said that tumbled plumes may be restored to
elasticity and beauty by dipping them in hot water, then shaking and
drying them.
ICY STEPS.--Salt strewed upon the door-steps in winter will cause the
ice to crack, so that it can be easily removed.
FLOWERS.--Flowers may be preserved fresh in tumblers or vases by
putting a handful of salt in the water, to increase its coldness.
WHITE-WASHING is said to last longer if the new-slaked lime be mixed
with skim-milk.
HORSE-FLIES.--Indigo-weed stuck plentifully about the harness tends
to keep flies from horses. Some make a decoction of indigo-weed, and
others of pennyroyal, and bathe horses with it, to defend them from
insects.
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