FoodNetArchive

The farm cook & rule book

1923

Page 106

Presented as published in 1923. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Spread a sheet of tin-foil corresponding to the size of the plate of glass evenly on a smooth and solid table, and carefully rub down every wrinkle on its surface with a brush. Pour a por- tion of mercury and rub it over the tin-foil with a piece of very soft woolen cloth. Apply rulers to the edges; then pour mer- cury on to the depth of a dime. Carefully remove any oxide on the surface, remove the old coating from the glass and be sure it is clean and dry. Then slide the glass over the surface of the liquid metal so no air, dirt or oxide can possibly remain or get between them. When the glass has reached the proper position, apply gentle pressure and slope the table a little to carry off the waste mer- cury. Cover the glass with a flannel cloth and load it with heavy weights. After 24 hours slant the glass a little. Keep slanting it a little more every day until at the end of a month it becomes perpendicular. It is then ready to be used. Fly Killer An inexpensive and effective fly killer which can be used on the farm without danger to the children and livestock is made by mixing I/2 cupful of milk, 1 teaspoonful of formaldehyde and 1% cupfuls of water together. This is poured into shallow pans and is especially effective if set in places where water is scarce. Cleaning Silverware Place the tarnished silver in an old aluminum pan or kettle which contains boiling water. Add 1 teaspoonful of baking soda and an equal amount of salt to every quart of water used. The silver should be covered by this solution. As the water boils the tarnish is dissolved. Paste for Wall Paper Mix 1 quart of flour with sufficient cold water to make a stiff paste or batter and then add 1% gallons of boiling water. Stir HOUSEHOLD RECIPES 223 the mixture until the flour is cooked. When this has stood a few hours, but not overnight, it is ready for use. If the paper is being hung on walls which have been painted, the paste is thinned with ^ cupful of molasses. When very heavy paper is being hung, the addition of 2 teaspoonfuls of Venetian tur- pentine will help make it stick. Re-sizing Rugs To re-size rugs which have become flimsy, dissolve 1 quart of powdered dry glue in 1 gallon of boiling water. Keep this on the stove until the glue is dissolved. Tack the rug wrong-side down on the floor, spreading old newspapers around the edges to protect the floor. Use a brush to apply the glue solution, taking care to cover every inch of space. Cover the edges of the rug with the solution. Do not move the rug for 24 hours or until the sizing is dry. Laying Linoleum Spread a layer of heavy paper, frequently called builder's felt, or some other heavy paper on the floor. Using a brush, paste this to the floor with linoleum paste. This lining should fit closely to the baseboard, and if there is a molding, it should be removed.