a\^' '':, ''.^ .-^"''^ ,0 o \' .r. y- A'^^' /^' _ ^ \^ o "/' ^ 8 1 •\ -J' ,^v^ .v^' . ^^> ,^- ■-:> % .^> ->. /^." THE HOUSEHOLD A CYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HIiXTS FOR MODERN HOMES. CONTAINING NEW IDEAS UPON AQUARIUMS, FERNERIES, BIRDS CABINETS, children's AMUSEMENTS, FANCY WORK, PLANTS AND FLOWERS, HOME DECORATION, HOUSE FURNISHING, HOUSEKEEPING, HEALTH, KNITTING AND CROCHET, PAINTING, MUSIC, USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL NEEDLEWORK, LAUNDRY, TOILET, AND HUNDREDS OF MINOR HOME SUBJECTS. WITH A FULL AND COMPLETE TREATISE ON COOKERY. EDITED BY ^ MAY PEEEIIsr GOFF. "An altar to the Household Gods is raised up here." — Dickens. FIFTH EDITION. JUN 12-f : THE DETROIT FREE PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY, DETROIT, MICH. Copyright 1886. Illustrations Designed and Engraved by Free Press Engraving Co. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE WOMEN OF "THE HOUSEHOLD," AS THE OUTCOME OF THEIR ZEAL AND CHEERFUL CO-OPERATION IN THE WORK THAT HAS PRODUCED THESE PAGES. OOISrTES'TS. PART I. PAGE ^OLIAN HARPS : How to construct Them, ..... i AQUARIUMS: For Sitting- Room or Conservatory — How to Build — Selection of Water Plants and Fish — Treatment of Gold, Silver and other Fish, . I-5 BASKETS: Of Birch Bark and Straw — Coral, Alum and Allspice — Rustic ones for Flowers^" Woodsy " Hanging Ones, ..... 5-7 BIRDS: Pairing — Care of them while Setting — -Feeding and Raising the Young — The Sloulting Season — Diseases and Cures — Mocking Birds ; their Food and Care— Outdoor Homes for the Songsters, S-iS BOXES : Carved and Engraved — Cigar Boxes Utilized, . . 15-16 BOUQUETS: Cutting and Arranging Flowers — Vase and Hand Bouquets — Flower Designs and Holders — To Keep Flowers Fresh — Water Bouquets for Table Adornment ....... 16-20 CABINETS : How to Make of Ebonized Wood — Arrangement of Shells and Min- erals, ........... 20-22 CASTS: Fruit, Branches, Birds, Insects, Etc., ..... 22 CHAIRS : Covering and Reseating, ....... 23 CHILDREN : Indoor Amusements — Dolls 01 every Dascription — Playhouses and Furniture — Dolls' Weddings and Costumes — To Cover Easy Chairs for the Little Folks — Home-made Toys — New England School Houses — Picture Scrap-Books, ..... 23-33 CORAL: Artificial Branches and Twigs, ...... 32 CORK WORK : Churches and Cottages — Landscapes and Castles — Rural Pictures and Models 32-35 CROSSES FOR CABINETS : Of Quartz, Minerals and Shells, . 35 vi CONTENTS. CRYSTALLIZATIONS : pack Ferns and Grasses — Fresh Flowers — Frame for Winter Scene — Mantel Ornaments — Ornamental Glass for Doors and Windows, . . 3^38 THE DAIRY: Care of Milk— To Make Good Butter— Packing Butter for Winter, . 3S-39 DINING ROOM : Arranging the Table— Flower Decorations— The Art of Carving- Breakfast Parties — Christmas and New Year's Dinners — New Year's Reception Lunches, 40"47 DISH WASHING : Utensils and Method, 47-48 DUSTERS : Home-made Feather Ones, 4S-49 EASTER EGGS : Mottoes and Decorations, 49-5° EMBROIDERY STITCHES AND DESIGNS : Applique Work — Crewel Stitch — Kensington Stitch — Moresque Ap- plique — Silk Embroidery, 50~S4 ENTERTAINMENTS : Anniversary Weddings— Coffee or Tea Parties — Kettle Drums — Lit- erary and Dramatic Clubs — Private Theatricals — Preparing the Stage and Scenery — Make-up and Wardrobe— Proverbs and Cha- rades — Picture Galleries — Statuary Representations — Tableaux Vivants, 54-63 ETCHING : Designs and Ma.terial — Marking and Transferring — Luncheon Doylies and Tray Covers, 63-65 FANCY WORK : Afghans — Book Covers — Blotters — Fancy Cards — Carriage Robes and Saddle Cloths — Chair Bolsters — Comfortables — Dressing Case and Shawl Covers — Emery Wheel and Thimble Cases — Feather Fans and Hand Screens — Foot Rests — Housewife for Sewing Implements — Jewel and Handkerchief Boxes — Knife and Fork Cases — Knitting-pin Sheaths — Laundry Pin — Cushions- Lambrequin Points and Valances — Music Stands — Napkin Rings- Ottomans — Ornamental Patchwork — Pen Wipers — Piano Cov- ers — Pin Cushions — Shaving Cases — Suspenders — Silk Purses- Sermon Covers — Smoking Caps — Sofa Pillows— Scent Sachets- Spectacle or Key Cases — Sideboard Cloths— Soiled Linen Re- ceptacles — Table Covers — Traveling Bags — Tea Cosies — Tidies- Tobacco Pouches— Umbrella Cases— Wall Pockets— Fancy Work Aprons — Work and Scrap baskets — Woven Silk Stripes — \Vork- basket Notes, containing directions for utilizing Silk Scraps, Bits of Zephyr, Ribbons and Laces, etc., 65-S4 FERNS: Outdoor Ferneries— To Build Wardian Cases — Growing Ferns In- doors—Unique Fern Baskets — Gathering and Pressing Ferns- Fern and Flower Cards and Transparencies — Parlor Fire Screens made of Ferns, 84-90 FISH SCALE FLOWERS : Jewelry and Embroidery, ... 90 CONTENTS. ■ vii FLOWERS : pagb Preparing the Soil — Planting the Seed — Designs for Flower Beds- Desirable Bedding Plants — Window Gardening — Ornamental Window Boxes and Stands — Vines and Ivies — Trellises and Screens — Plants for Hanging Baskets — Floral Ornaments for Sit- ting Room — Greenhouses and Cold Pits — Favorite Plants for In- doors, Giving the Special Treatment of Begonias, Carnations, Fuchsias, Geraniums, Hyacinths, Lilies, Pansies, Roses, Tube- roses, Tuhps and Verbenas — Propagating Plants — Potting and Re-potting — Exterminating Insects and Worms — Soil Fertilizers — ' Conservatory Chat — Practical Hints on Storing Plants, Watering, Soil, Treatment, Etc., . . . . . . . . 91-125 GAMES : Fly, feather, fly — Gossip — Gypsy Encampment — Handwriting on the Wall — Hunt the Fox — Kaleidoscope — Mandarins — Porco Buff — Shadow Buff, . . . .... . . . 125-1 2.S GLASS : Carved Jet Crosses — Engraving, Etching and Embossing — Imitation Ground Glass — Painting on Ground Glass, .... 128-131 GRASSES: When to Gather^How to Arrange, 131-132 HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES : "Compliments of the Season" Cards — Christmas Decorations for Home and Hall — Tree Ornamentations — Garlands, Wreaths, Mottoes and Emblems — Trimming the Church for Christmas and Easter — Easter Symbols and Altar Crosses, .... 132-139 HOUSE FURNISHING : The Foundation of Home — Artistic Wall Papers — Carpets and Rugs — Window Hangings — How to Drape Them — Heavy Cur- tains for Parlor and Library — Sitting-room and Dining-room Curtains — Bed-room Draperies — Portieres and Curtain Bands — Window Shades — Arrangement of Furniture for Vestibule and Hall — Parlor and Library — Sitting or Family Room — Artistic and Ideal Rooms — Inexpensive Home Rooms — Pretty and Taste- ful Homes for Working Girls — The Family Dining-room — Bed- rooms — Home-made Furniture— Fire Places and Grates — Drape- ries and Valances — Cabinets — Pictures — Screens and Easels — Ornamental Odds and Ends, comprising Basket Pails, Boudoir Cushions, Brush Cases, Banner Screens, Cabiir.et Draperies, Chair Cushions, Hassocks, Hour-glass Work Tables, Japanese Air Cas- tles, Lamp Shades, Scent Bottles, Silhouette Flower Pots, Tri- pod Stands, Work Baskets, etc., ...... 140-185 HOUSE KEEPING : The Kitchen — Care of Kitchen Utensils — Serviceable Suggestions to Simplify Work — Domestic Cookery Science, etc., . . . 1S6-197 HOUSE CLEANING: Where to Commence and How to Proceed with Beds and Bedding — Cupboards and Closets — Clothing : Repairing, Cleansing and Packing — Carpets and Floors — Chandeliers — Chromos and Paint- viii CONTENTS. PAGE ing;s — Curtains — Cellars — Furs— Furniture — Marble — Mirrors — Moths and Insects — Paint —Steel and Brass — Silverware — Tin- ware — Walls and Paper — White-washing, 197-206 HUSK MATS, BEDS AND PILLOWS : Preparing the Husks— Plaiting'— To keep Sweet and Clean, . . 206-207 KNITTING, CROCHET AND LACE : , Instructions to Beginners— Knitting Stitches— Crochet Stitches- Fancy Stitches — Lace Stitches — Netting Stitches — Afghan- Babies' Boots — Children's Caps and Bonnets— Knitted Balls — Counterpanes — Children's Dresses — Egg Baskets — Fringe and Border — Knitted Horse Reins- Ladies' Leggings — Hoods — Imita- tion Coral — Lace Insertions — Ladies' Jerseys — Ladies' Silk Hose — Lace for Lingerie — Lace Edging — Narrow Lace Edge — Silk and Saxony Mittens— Children's Petticoats— Pillow Case Edging— Silk Purses— Rugs and Mats— Gentlemen's Scarfs— Babies' Sacques— Children's Skirts — Shetland Shawls — Infants' Shirts — Bed-room Slippers — Babies' Stockings — Knit Towels— Gentleman's Over- shoes — Wristlets — Wash Cloths, 207-229 THE LAUNDRY : Washing Made Easy — Clear Starching — Removing Fruit Stains— Iron- ing and Polishing— Washing Fine Things— Doing Up Laces and Curtains — Silk and Embroidered Handkerchiefs — Silk and Cotton Hose — Muslins, Cambrics and Calicoes — Tablecloths — White and Colored Flannels — Washing Compounds — How to Bleach White Goods — To Make Hard Soap — Soft or Boiled Soap — Renovating Soap — Timely Suggestions, Giving Directions for Removing Mil- dew, Scorch, Stains ; For Washing Miscellaneous Articles, Set- ting Colors, Etc., 229-247 MEDICAL AND HEALTH : How to Keep Well — Purifying the Yards — Fatness and Leanness — To Prevent Sea-sickness — The Medicine Chest — Simple Reme- dies in Sickness — Hop and Hemlock Pillows for Sleeplessness — How to Care for the Sick — State of the Pulse and Lungs — Valu- able Advice to Mothers — Burns, Bruises and Sprains — Ear-ache and Nose Bleeding — Bow-legs and Knock-knees — Nervous Dis- eases — Sick Headache — Congestive Chills — Dyspepsia and its Cure — Treatment of the Eye — A Visit with the Doctor, who gives Prescriptions and Remedies for all common complaints and diseases, including Asthma, Bee Stings, Colic, Croup, Choking, Canker-sore Mouth, Cuts and Wounds, Colds and Hoarseness, Cold Sores, Ear-ache, Diphtheria, Felons, Frosted and Perspiring Feet, Corns, Bunions, Chilblains, Ingrowing Toe Nails, Hydro- phobia, Lockjaw, Neuralgia, Proud Flesh, Runrounds, Sunstroke, Salt-rheum, Swelled Neck, Snake-bites, Tooth-ache, Warts, etc., 247-276 ANTIDOTES FOR POISONING. . . .... 276-277 FOOD FOR THE SICK : Broths— Drinks— Gruels— Jellies— Teas— Syrups and Cordials, . 277-283 CONTENTS. ix MUSICAL CHIMES: page Instrumental Music — Practicing: Exercises — The Care of Instruments — Remarks about Vocalism — BreatTiing Exercises— Strengthening the Voice — The Children's Concert 2S3-290 OSTRICH FEATHERS : Curling, Cleaning and Dyeing, . . . 29c^29i OYSTER CANS : How they may be Made Useful, ... 292 PAINTING: Hints to Amateur Artists — Fancy Woods Used — Subjects, Designs and Colors — China and Porcelain Painting — Chronio Photography — Fan Painting ; Colors, Designs and Materials Used — To Take Impressions of Leaves — Japanese Lacquer Work — Panels for Doors and Screens — Pastel and Colored Crayons — Potichimania — Marine Views for Shells — Screen Designs — Studio Hints — Transfer Work, ......... 292-309 PAPER LANDSCAPES, 309 PERFUiMERY : To Make from Fresh Flowers. 310 PICTURES : Mounting and Hanging — Embroidered Picture Frames — Passepar- tout Frames — Oil Paintings and Engravings — Velvet Pictures — Varnishing Chromos and Lithographs, ..... 316-313 PLASTER CASTS : Beautifying and Cleaning, ..... 313-314 PRESSED AUTUMN LEAVES : Gathering and Arranging Them, . 314-315 PRESSED FLOWERS : Selection — How to Press — Flower Albums and Journals, . . 316-317 PRESERVING FLOWERS AND FRUIT, . . , 317-31S PLANT SPECIMENS : Collecting— Pressing and Labeling, . . 319-320 ROCKERIES AND GROTTOES, 320-321 ROSE JARS AND PILLOWS : For Perfuming Parlor and Sitting Room. ..... 321-322 HOME-MADE RUGS AND CARPETS, . .... 322-324 RUSTIC WORK : Of Lichens, Moss and Twigs — For Home Decoration — Cigar Ash Bowl — Fern and Flower Stands — The Art of Modeling — Rural Picture Scenes — Rustic Cottages and Landscapes, . . 324-330 SCRAP BOOKS: For Engravings and Paintings — Registers for Keeping Family Records, 330-332 SEA WEED SPECIMENS : Preparing, Pressing and I\Iounting — For Albums, Lyres and Crosses, 332-334 SHELLS : Coloring and Etching — Shell Flowers, .... 335-337 SHEETING WAX, 337 SKELETONIZED LEAVES : Gathering, Selecting, Bleaching and Arranging, .... 337-339 X CONTENTS. SPATTER WORK : pagb Materials — How to Proceed — To Make a Cross, Anchor, Screen — Photographic Method, .... ... 340-341 SUMMER HINTS: The Art of Keeping Cool — Suitable Food, Drinks and Clothing — To Get Rid of Fhes, Mosquitoes, Etc., ...... 342-345 THE TOILET : How to be Beautiful — Dressing Table Appointments — Cologne and Sachet Powders — Care of the Skin ; removing Moth Patches, Yel- low Spots, Freckles, Wrinkles, Moles, Tan, Pimples — Cosmetics and Lotions — Bathing and Soaps — Care of the Teeth — Treat- ment of the Hair — The Hands and Xails, ..... 346-362 TAXIDERMY: Stuffing and Mounting Birds, . . 363 WOODS : A Fil'.er for Porous Woods — Ebouizing Wood — Staining and Color- ing — Imitation of Black Walnut — Painted or Stained Floors — Painting and Graining — Varnishing and PoUshing, . . . 364-369 PAR T IT. BILLS OF FARE : Breakfasts for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter — Sunday Break- fasts — Sunday Dinners — Thanksgiving Dinners — Christmas and New Year's Dinners — Suppers — Sunday Meals and Lunches — Home, Picnic and Traveling Lunches — New Year's Reception Lunches, 373-378 ALLOWANCE OF SUPPLIES FOR ENTERTAINMENTS, . . 37S-379 BREAD MAKING. First Principles — To Tell Good Flour — Kneading and Baking — To Make Dry and Hop Yeast — Salt-rising and Railroad Emp- tyings — Com, Graliam and "\\Tieat Bread — Crackers, . . 379-3S7 BREAKFAST AND TEA DISHES : Biscuit, Rolls and Rusks — Eggs — Fritters — Griddle Cakes — Muffins — Omelets — Porridge and Mush — Toast — \'\'afiles, . . . 3S7-407 CAKE MAKING : Compounding and Baking — Wedding Cake Ornaments — Fancy and Plain Frosting — All Sorts of Cake : Fruit, Loaf, Spice, Molasses, Puffs, ilacaroons. Kisses, Etc. — Cookies, Snaps and Jumbles — Crullers and Doughnuts — Layer Cakes, 408-437 CATSUPS AND SAUCES : How to Compound Them — Of Fruits and \'egetables — For Fish and Meats 437-445 CONTENTS. XI CONFECTIONERY: page To Make Candy, Caramels, Drops, Popcorn Balls, Etc., . . 445-450 CREAMS AND CUSTARDS : For Cakes and Tea Sauces, . . 451-456 DRINKS : Coffee, Chocolate and Tea — Summer Drinks ; Mead, Soda, Beer, Lemonade — Home-made Wines. ...... 456-46S EXTRACTS AND SYRUPS : For Flavoring, . ... 469-470 FISH : How to Select — The Ways of Cooking Trout, Turbot, Shad, Smelts, Wliite Fish, Mackerel, Salt Fish, Herring, Salmon — Miscellaneous Dishes and Stev/s, ......... 471-4S1 FRUITS : Fresh Fruits for Table Use — Arranging them for Dessert — Fruit Pieces — Sugared and Iced Fruits — Fruit Sauces for Tea, . . . 481-490 CANNED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES : The Method of Canning — By Hot and Cold Process — Large and Small Fruits — Peas, Corn and Beans, ....... 490-497 DRIED AND CANDIED FRUITS 497-498 SPICED FRUITS, . 499-500 GAME : How to Lard, Broil and Roast — Large and Small Game ; Ducks, Grouse, Pigeons, Quails, Rabbits, Squirrel-, Venison and Wood- cock, ... ...... 500-505 ICES AND ICE CREAMS : To Prepare and Freeze — Cream, Fruit and Water Ices, . . 506-511 JAMS AND JELLIES : Selection of Fruit — How to Proceed with Same .... 511-519 MEATS : General Remarks on Selection — Salt and Fresh Meat — How to Prepare for Baking, Broiling, Fiying and Roasting — Beef, Lamb, Mutton, Veal, Pork, Tongue, Heart, Liver, Venison — Miscellaneous Meat Dishes, .......... 520-538 MEAT AND FISH PIES, . 53S-540 PASTRY : To Make Pie Crust— Puff Paste— Pies and Tartlets— Fruit and Sauce for Same — Filling and Baking, ....... 540-551 PUDDINGS : Of Every Sort and Description — Dumplings — Miscellaneous Dessert Dishes, 551-566 PUDDING SAUCES, 567-569 PICKLES : Both Sour and Sweet — Good Vinegar— Pickling Fruit and Vegetables — Chopped and Mixed Pickles — Chow-Chow, Picalilli and Mangoes, 569-584 xii CONTENTS. POULTRY : page Market Hints — To Choose Young and Tender Fowls — How to Dress and Cook Them 5S4-591 PRESERVES AND MARMAL.'\DES : Time-table for Boiling and Amount of Sugar to be Used — How to Proceed with the Various Fruits, ...... 591-601 SALADS : Preparing the Vegetables — How to Dress and Serve — Fish, Meat, Fruit and Vegetable Salads, ....... 601-608 SANDWICHES : P'or Home, Traveling and Picnic Lunche^, . 60S-610 SHELL FISH : The Many Ways of Cooking — Clams — Lobsters, Turtles and Oysters, 610-619 SOUPS: The Basis of all Good Soups — Soup Paste and Balls — Fish, Meat and Vegetable Soups and Stews., ....... 619-626 VEGETABLES : How to Prepare — Cook and Serve — Plain and Fancy Dishes, . . 626-641 COOK'S TIME TABLE : Giving Mode of Preparation and Time of Cooking, . . , 642 TABLE OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, ..... 643 UTENSILS : Necessary in the Kitchen of a Small Family, . . . 644 INDEX TO APPENDIX. ART OF ENTERTAINING: Whom to invite to Dinner — Invitation Cards — How to be Signed— Table Service — Table Decorations — Introductions — Courses — Salad Dressing — Practice — Card Parties, etc.- — Invitations — In Wliose Name Sent — Handshaking — Improvement of the Voice — Cultivate Frankness — Visiting Cards, . . . . . . 647-655 FANCY WORK, KNITTING, CROCHET AND NEEDLE WORK: Fancy Bags, 656 — Laundry Bags; Dusting Bags; Work Bags, 657 — Afghan Knit on Small Ivory Needles; Baby Afghan, 659 — Com- fortable from Cheese Cloth in Colors, 659 — Fancy Blotters, 660 — Handkerchief Cases, 66c — Patch-work, 660 — Piano Cover of Felt, 660 — Cushions of Bright-colored Silk, 661 — Sofa Pillows, 661 — Table Covers, 661 — Bangle Boards, 661 — Japanese Parasols as a Waste Basket, 661 — -Paper Flowers, 662 — Kensington Painting, 662 — Banner Thermometer, 662 — Paper Fans, 664 — Brush-broom Holder, 664 — Darning Work, 664 — String Ball, 664 — Fancy Hand- kerchiefs, 665 — Fancy Aprons, 665 — Instructions How to Knit a Purse, 666 — Knotted Stitches with New Designs, 668 — -Baby's Knitted Sock, 669 — Double-heel Old Ladies' Receipt, 669 — A Stocking in Rhyme, 670 — Round Shawl Crocheting, Full Instruc- tions How, 672 — Needle Work; Tray Cloth, 674 — Cake Doyley, 674 — Napkins, 675 — Sash for Side-board, 675 — Stitches for Linen and Cotton Fabrics; The Hem Stitch, 677 — The Herring-bone Stitch, 677 — Thread Stitches, 679 — The Fodder Stitch, 680 — Two- tie and Three-tie Stitches; Drawn Work; Suggestions for Fringe; Net Fringe and Tassel, 686 — Simple Fringe, 6S7, . . . 656-687 COLORED ILLUSTRATIONS. Asparagfus and Toast opp. 626 Baked Cod " 471 Baked Ham " 532 Baked Ox Heart " 520 Baked Fruit " 471 Bananas, Pears and Plums " 48 1 Beef Balls .' " 520 Beef Turnovers " 520 Black Bass " 471 Boiled Carrots " 626 Boiled Mackerel " 471 Boiled Salmon " 471 Boiled Tongue " 532 Breakfast Table Frontispiece BriJe'sCake opp. 40S Cauliflower " 626 Cherry Jam " 45 1 Clam on Half Shell " 611 Cocoanut Cake " 45 1 Codfish Balls " 471 Corn StarLh and Current Jelly. . " 451 Crab " 611 Crab- Apple Jelly " 451 Cream Puffs " 408 Cut of Salmon " 471 Duck " 500 Dolly Varden Cake " 451 Eg:g Plant " 626 Fillets of Sole " 471 Fricassee Duck " 5S5 Fried Oysters " 6ii Fried Smelts " 471 Fruit Sponge Cake " ^51 Fore Quarter of Mutton " 528 Goose " 5S5 Grouse ■ " 500 Haunch of Vension " 500 Leg of Mutton " 528 Leg of Poi k " 332 Lemon Conserve opp Lobster Loin of Lamb Loin of Pork Marble Cake Melons Mutton Chops and Green Peas.. Mutton Steak with French Beans. National Cake Neapolitan Cake Oranges and Pears Oyster Fritters Partridge Peaches ; Pickled Beets Pigs Feet Pigeon Pine-Apples and Grapes Potted Beef Quail Raspberry Jam Ribs of Beef Roast Chickens Roast Hare Kolled Loin of Mutton Roast Pig Roast Saddle of Mutton Roast Turkey Scolloped Turkey Shrimps ^irloin of Beef Southern Chicken Croquette Spare Rib Spin ich and Eggs Sponge Cake Stuffed Beefsteak Tomatoes Turkey Patties Woodcock 451 6ir 528 532 528 528 408 451 481 611 500 481 626 532 500 481 520 500 451 520 58s 500 528 532 528 585 585 611 520 585 532 626 408. 520 626 585 500 WOOD CUTS. Baby's Knitted Sock 669 Banner Thermometer, decorated .... 663 Bar of Music 660 Border of Flowers 665 Border for Table Cover 683 Branch of Pine 66 1 Crochet Purse 667 Corner Piece in Detail 6S2 Crow's-foot and Hrier Stitch 678 Drawn-work Border 681 Drawn-work Border with Corner... 683 End and Front of Work Bag 658 Fancy Designs for Wheel or Corner 685 Fancy Initials 676 Fodder Stitch 679 Herring-bone 679 Knotted Stitch 668 Net Fringe and Tassel 686 Paper Flower 661 Peacock-tail Pattern 668 Point Russe Stitches 660 Round Shawl 673 Simple Wheels 684 Simple Fringe 687 Suggestion for Fringe 686 Three-tie 680 Two-tie Stitch 679 Wheel for Corner. 682 PART I. -^OLIAN HARPS. These harps consist of an oblong box of thin deal board about five or six inches deep, with a circle drawn in the middle of the upper side an inch and a half in diameter, around which are to be drilled small holes. Along the upper side of the box seven, ten or more small strings of very fine gut are stretched over bridges near each end, like the bridge of a violin, and tightened or relaxed with screw pins. The strings must be tuned to one and the same note, and the instrument placed in some current of air where the wind can pass over its strings with freedom. A window, the width of which is exactly equal to the length of the harp, with the sash first raised to give the air admission,, is a good situation. When the wind blows upon the strings, with vari- ous degrees of force, different musical tones will be sounded ; some- times the blast brings out all the tones in full concert, and sometimes it sinks them to the softest murmur. In many old castles these harps were fastened in the windows, and their wild music caused the ignorant to think they were haunted. Simply tying waxed saddlers* silk to little sticks and pushing them into the crevices of windows, so as to secure a draft of wind (the silk being strained tight) will produce very sweet sounds. AQUARIUMS. FOR THE SITTING-ROOM. The fresh-water aquarium, or drawing-room fish pond, is a pleasing and interesting ornament for a city or suburban town. It is cheaply and easily made, and requires but little care. Comparatively few per- sons can adorn their homes with costly pictures and statues, but almost anyone with a love of nature and art can have an aquarium, fulfilling in miniature realities the glowing and poetic water legends of Northern and Oriental climes. It is the expression of the cultured taste, more than the embellishment of wealth, that makes a charming home. A tank for a fresh-water aquarium may be constructed of four plates of glass, with a large piece of slate, marble or metal for the bottom ; or the tank may be made wholly of metal and set like a large sink in a bay or oriel window ; or one may be constructed of a seamless bowl or 1 ^ AQUARIUMS. tub, either earthen or wooden ; if the latter, all seams (providing a seamless one cannot be obtained) must be made water-tight by the use of a cement manufactured for the purpose, and sold as "aquarium cement." No lead or paint must be where the water can touch it. The placing of this bowl will call into use your artistic fancies ; it may be surrounded upon a stand with earth and rocks, among which may be planted the drooping vines of the house plants and others that may suggest themselves, though not surrounded with plants so thickly as to darken the pool, for fish enjoy a little sunlight — but do not broil them. SELECTION OF WATER PLANTS. These can be procured from brooks and ponds near at hand. A good way to plant them is to tie a small pebble to the roots or base of stems and sink them below the surface of the bed. The arrangement •of the plants should be made with regard to the best effect, the smallest plants being placed in front and the tallest in the center or at the back ■of the tank. A tank of water-plants can be made quite as ornamental as a fernery, while the fish, snails and mussels prove very attractive to all beholders, old as well as young. Among the best varieties of water-plants are : Arrowhead, a very common plant in brooks and creeks, which has white flowers with golden centers and arrowhead-shaped leaves ; eel-grass is a very popu- lar plant for aquaria, as its habitat is in slow-moving waters ; water- nymph, a slender, thread-like plant, with knot-like lobes ; water-feather, a lovely little plant, a gem for the aquarium; water-cress, water-mill- foil. After all the plants are arranged, throw in a few lemna minor, or duckweeds, which are tiny, stemless, floating plants that harbor minute insects that are delicacies for the fish. The plants should be planted in good soil, in saucers or similarly low dishes, then procure some coarse gravel, sand, fine sand, white gravel or pebble stones, a few common rough stones, and three or four larger ones, with which to construct a miniature arch, placing the closed ends of the arch toward the ends of the tank, in order that the fish may not hide themselves beneath, as they will be sure to do. Place a layer of the coarse sand over the bottom, then the saucers containing the plants upon the sand ; construct the arch firmly by the use of a little cement, and so arrange the balance of material that when finished the bottom will be one of apparent sand and gravel, with mounds, ridges, etc. A few small shells of the most ordinary kind will add to its pic- turesqueness. The tank is now ready for the water. Fill about one-quarter full and let it stand for a day, then dip out a part of the water and replace with fresh. This treatment must be continued from day to day until the SUITABLE FISH FOR WATER LIFE. 3 water in the tank shall be clear and clean ; ordinary soft water — brook, spring or pure cistern — required. Fill the tank within about two inches of the top, and it is ready for the fish. The smaller they are the larger the number that may be put together. SUITABLE FISH FOR WATER LIFE. After the plants and rocks are arranged the former must have time to become accustomed to their new home before the fish are put in. A fortnight is none too long for the aquarium to remain tenantless. If af green film overspreads the glass it shows there are too many plants for the water, and they have had too much light. It is a good plan to paste thin green paper on all sides of the glass up to the water-line, excepting in front, even when the fish are put in, because it subdues the light, and gives the fish a more natural home, and makes it more healthful. In selecting fishes for the aquarium, gold and silver fish will of course have the first choice, and after that the minnows. The beauty of these fish, their habits and the management they require are too well known for an extended notice in a necessarily brief article. The perch is a suitable fish for a fresh water aquarium, for a reason that may not be well known. It is one of the few fishes that may be trained, and made to show its docility by taking food from the fingers. The pike, which is the shark of fresh water, may be put into an aquarium with gold fish and perch, but not with other fishes. Even with the gold fish it is not fully to be trusted, as when hungry it has been known to eat its own species. The trout is a handsome fish, with its crimson, spotted sides, but, like the pike, it must be well fed and kept away from smaller fishes. The eel may be used with safety — a small one, and frogs may be kept with larger fish. The merot may also be added to the happy family, notwithstanding the antipathy against it on account of its resemblance to the lizard ; it is perfectly harmless. During the breeding season it exhibits a variety of shining colors— orange, olive, green, with a mottling of brown and scarlet. The water spider is a curious insect, and, if possible, should be secured for the aquarium. It spends the greater part of its time beneath the water, coming to the surface to seize its prey, and to obtain a fresh supply of air for its sub-aquatic home. Reclining figures of plaster may be added, and if the tank be a large one, an artificial island of stones, mosses and ferns, with a siphon fountain, may be in the middle. Feed your fish all the worms, meat or fish spawn that they will eat. Take great care to take all that they do not eat out of the aquarium ; any decayed meat or vegetables in water have the same smell to fish that it has to you in the air. Two snails added will act as scavengers. 4 AQUARIUMS. Do not handle the fish, but take them out with a net made of mos- quito netting. An aquarium properly stocked and managed is hardly any trouble, and it affords a great deal of pleasure. Never feed the fish crackers or other food, for it fills their gills and suffocates them. With the above hints, nearly every one can make a home for the fish and keep them, if they do not neglect them, for many years. The best position for an aquarium is in a windowr looking towards the east, where it will not have more than two hours of the morning sun. If such a location cannot be given, put it in a southern window, but shade from the noonday sun. A western or northern aspect is never desirable for an aquarium. The temperature is also of impor- tance. It should range from 45 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water becomes too warm the fish will die. If it freezes, the tank may burst. CARE OF GOLD AND SILVER FISH. Take a bell glass that will hold about two gallons of water, and set it into a box two feet long, twelve inches wide, and eight or ten inches high, or of any dimensions desired. Fill the box with a mixture of silver sand, leaf mold and earth, placing your inverted glass in the cen- ter of the box ; around this place ferns and lycopodium ; cover the box with glass, so that it will be nearly air-tight, to retain the moisture. The plants will require water about once a month ; in the bell glass make a thick bed of sand, pebbles and small shells, and fill with per- fectly pure water, and two gold fish or minnows, and a few aquatic plants, as they, under the action of the light, consume the carbonic acid gas given forth by the fish, and restore to the water the oxygen neces- sary to the maintenance of life. Snails are useful also to act as scaven- gers to consume the vegetable matter thrown off by the plants, and render it unnecessary to change the water so frequently, which would otherwise become greenish and untransparent. A change once a week will keep the fish in good health ; but an aquarium fairly established with a proper proportion of plants and fish will preserve its healthfulness without change of water, more than to fill it up as the water evaporates. A still more desirable plan is to invert the bell glass in a thick block of wood, in any way that will hold it firmly ; the block may be planted, and decorated according to taste, and may be made very ornamental ; then for " stocking " follow the directions given above. For a marine aquarium the " sea coast " affords many a " treasure trove," the sea anemones, those strange and fascinating existences, half fish and half blossom, may be found on the coast of Maine. Each shore has its specialty. The bay abounds in sea weeds of a lovely tint, while the beaches are rich in shells — all of which contribute to make an aquarium an object of interest and source of enjoyment. They BASKETS. 5 should be kept in a cool place — never exposed to a burning sun or the heat of a fire. Too many should never be crowded into one glass. A fevir branches of box should be kept in the globe for them to rub against, which should be changed once a week. Many persons fancy that gold and silver fish need no food. It is true that they will subsist for a long time with nothing but water when it is pure and frequently changed. They are best pleased with such diet as bread or biscuit ; but these should be given sparingly, lest, turning sour, they corrupt the water. They will also feed on the aquatic plant called lemna, or duckweed, and also on small fry. Fine gravel should be strewed at the bottom of the vessel that contains the fish ; and they should be fed on bread and gentles, and have their water frequently changed. You can easily tell when a fish is falling off in his health by observing him frequently coming up to the surface of the water for air. This shows he has not sufficient power in his gills to extract the air from the water. He also looks dull, and his motions are languid ; a hazy or cobwebby appearance likewise seems to envelop his body, and per- haps some of the scales will drop off. When a fish goes into this unhealthy state, he should be immediately removed from the others, who should have fresh water given them several days in succession, The best remedy for diseased fish is to put them into a pond for a few weeks ; and it is especially necessary for female fish, which, if not so treated, frequently die for want of spawning. A fish is sometimes saved by being placed in a little artificial dam, made from some running stream in a garden, for two or three days ; but their diseases are at all times very difficult to remedy. The best way is to prevent them by pre- cautionary measures — plenty of room and pure water. BASKETS. "WOODSY" HANGING ONES. Take a piece of the rough tree bark with the moss clinging to it ; cut it out into a pretty shape and use it for the back. Make the front of birch bark and sew to the back with fine wire, which can be done by punching fine holes for the wire ; if small twigs are put at the side and corners, it will look " woodsy " enough to satisfy the most ardent lover of nature. This can be filled with moss, dried grasses and leaves. Among trees that have just been felled some may be found with slen- der trunks. Cut a piece from one of these about a foot long, more or less, as you choose, remove the bark, saw off the top flat on the lengthy side and scoop out the interior,, leaving about one inch or less of thick- ness oil the sides and bottom ; paint of a brown color and varnish, tack 6 BASKETS. on the sides either a chain, ribbon or card to hang it by ; fill the trunk with artificial moss and flowers, and you have a hanging basket unique in its way. BIRCH BARK AND STRAW. A pretty basket for shopping purposes can be made of birch bark, by cutting it in the shape of the flat straw baskets that close at the top, lined with silk, shirred at the top and drawn up with a draw-string. Where the edges are joined cover with ribbon and stitch with machine. You can stitch birch bark the same as a piece of cloth. The pretty straw baskets that flowers are offered in can, when the flowers are withered, be used for Lake Superior mosses, grasses, autumn leaves or ferns. Then the money spent for them does not seem wasted, for they can be converted into pretty objects for the center-table. The smaller ones can be left filled with sand, and if dampened occasionally flowers may be kept for a long time in them. RUSTIC ONES FOR FLOWERS One of the prettiest is made by taking a common horse muzzle, made of wire, and have it painted, with oil colors, green. Then, when dry, take large pieces or sheets of the bright green moss which abounds in the woods and by the roadsides in the spring and line the inside with it, letting the green side be turned outward. Then fill up the center with earth and plant your vines and flowers, three cords being fastened to the top wire at regular distances, by which it is to be hung up. It can be watered occasionally and the moss freshened by dipping it into a bucket of water. Another variety is the rustic style, so popular and beautiful. In order to make one of these procure from the woods a number of crooked branches and rough, knotty twigs. Put them to soak in hot water, or steam them, so as to render them perfectly pliable. Get one of the turned wooden bowls, such as are to be found in house furnishing stores ; stain it with some of the brown staining materials or black var- nish, and then bore holes or insert screw rings on the outside for the cords or chains to pass through. Now bend around the outside of the bowl one of the branches and nail it securely at the top edges on either side. Several pieces can be twined around in this way, according to one's taste, until the whole surface is covered ; then finish off with one around the edge for a border. When this is varnished it is very pretty, and the vines will, of course, be trained to hang over the edge. CORAL, ALUM AND ALLSPICE. To make coral baskets — take flowers and sprays of all shapes and kinds of bonnet or hoop-skirt wire, wound with fine thin cloth ; take one CORAL, AL UM AND ALLSPICE. % ounce of resin and dissolve it in a brass pan with two drachms of the finest Vermillion and thoroughly mix them ; then take your basket twigs and dip them into the solution till they are well dyed. Pretty brackets can be made in the same way. Some persons dissolve red sealing-wax in alcohol to form coral ; powder the wax, and fill in as much as the alcohol will dissolve. Success in alum baskets depends upon chance, for the crystals will form irregularly, even when the utmost care is taken. Dissolve alum in a little more than twice as much water as will be necessary to cover the basket, handle and all. Put in as much alum as the water will dissolve. The water should be hot. When the water is entirely saturated, pour it into a saucepan or earthen jar (by no means put it into an iron ves- sel) and slowly boil it, until it is nearly evaporated. The basket should then be suspended from a little stick, laid across the top of the jar, in such a manner that both basket and handle will be covered by the solu- tion. It must be set away in a cool place, where not the slightest motion will disturb the formation of the crystals. The frame may be made in any fancied shape. It is usually made of small wire, woven in and out like basket work ; but a common willow basket may be used as a frame for either the coral or alum baskets. Whether it is of wire or willow, a rough surface must be produced by winding every part with thread or worsted. If wire already covered is used it will save the trouble of winding. Irregular knots of the worsted left all over it with a few ends is quite an improvement. Bright yellow crystals may be produced by boiling gamboge, saffron or turmeric in the alum solution. Litmus boiled in will give bright red crystals ; logwood will form purple. The colors will be more or less deep, according to the quantity used. Splendid blue crystals may be obtained by preparing the sulphate of copper, commonly called blue vitriol, in the same manner as alum is prepared. Care must be taken not to drop it on the clothes. Allspice baskets are made of the berries. They should be soaked in spirits to soften them and then holes made through them. They are strung on slender wires, which are twisted or woven into diamonds or squares and then formed into baskets. These can also be strung on thread and made over a circle of wire, forming long loops like a tassel. A gold band twisted between the berries gives a lively effect. Around the top are sometimes twisted semi-circles of berries, from which are suspended festoons of berries strung on silk, drooping over the outside. The baskets may be lined with bright colored silk and ornamented with ribbons. Baskets can be made of cloves in the same way, by taking off the berry and soaking the long part in spirits. Bead baskets are also made in the same way ; the wire should be the color of the beads. Cut-glass beads are most desirable, as they glitter prettily and are of great beauty in a Christmas tree. BJRDS. BIRDS. PAIRING BIRDS For pairing canaries the best time is the last of February. Birds which are to be paired for the first time should be previously placed in the same cage for seven or eight days, in order to become acquainted and accustomed to live together. Either one male and one or two females are placed in a large cage, or many of both sexes are united in a room or aviary, having the advantage of a south aspect. Nests made of turned wood, or osiers, are given them, as straw ones are too easily torn. It is a good plan to place in the room or aviary slips of pine, which being cut in February do not lose their leaves. It is rare for the male to sit in his turn during some hours of the day, the female seldom allowing it, for as soon as she has eaten she flies back to her nest. If the male gives up his place readily, so much the better ; if not, she drives him away by force and by pecking him. She appears to know his want of skill in this employment. Many cross-breed goldfinches with canaries. A male goldfinch and a hen canary will breed birds far superior to either of their parents, both in plumage and song. The handsomest singers are produced from a canary of a pure golden-yellow and a full-grown garden goldfinch. Whatever be the size and shape of your cage, avoid brass wire or ornaments, and painted wires of all colors, but especially green. A movable floor is indispensable to cleanliness. Of wooden cages, those made of mahogany are best, being almost impervious to vermin, and the inside should have two or three coats of white oil paint. To tell the sexes of young birds : The male canary has a slimmer body than the hen ; the head is larger and squarer, and round the eyes the color is brighter than elsewhere. Whitish-yellow birds are the weakest, and those of a greenish yellow most robust. Protect them from all sudden noises, for the near discharge of a gun, a door slammed with violence, and other similar noises will often kill the young in the shell, but their death happens generally through the fault of a bad sitter. CA.RE OF THEM WHILE SETTING. A female canary will at all times confine herself too closely to the nest, and thus generate a superabundance of heat, which often destroys the brood. Wash her in a good solution of salt, and after a few min- utes with fresh water ; dry her as rapidly as possible in the sun. Do FEEDING THE YOUNG. 9 this once or twice a day, and sprinkle a little sherry wine over her plum- age. Supply her with plenty of good food to tempt her off the nest. She is most likely a weakly bird, and injures herself by sitting too closely. A sweating female is not fit for a breeder, so never use her for this purpose twice. After mating your birds, a period of only seven to eight days elapses before the female commences to lay ; and she will lay from four to seven eggs, one each day, at about the same hour, and sit upon them for thirteen days, when the operation of hatching com- mences. A young bird is usually in full feather at the age of six weeks — when he is four weeks old he will swell up his throat and try to warble, and by this you can tell the males from the females. Some birds bathe while mating and some do not. It is always best to put the bathing dish in the cage, and leave it to the birds' own judg- ment whether to bathe or not. Many birds are of a nervous and irri- table disposition, never remaining in one position for a single instant, but are continually hopping to and fro against the wires of the cage, as if trying to get out, which is really the case ; and, by coming constantly in contact with the hard substance, they ruin their plumage. Such a bird should be hung low, or better still, placed on a table where he can be occasionally talked to and noticed ; then he will soon become accus- tomed to his home. When partially quieted bathe the bare parts with water, into which has been placed ten drops of the tincture of arnica; after the soreness (if there has been any) disappears, use a little olive oil. FEEDING THE YOUNG. As soon as the young are hatched a small jar is placed beside the usual feeding trough, containing a quarter of a boiled &g% minced very fine, white and yellow together, with a bit of white bread steeped in water and afterward pressed ; another jar should contain rape seed which has been boiled, and then washed in fresh water, to remove all its acerbity. Young birds require soft food ; boil an ^^