FoodNetArchive

The household (of the Detroit free press)

1886

Page 285 · 1 recipe record on this page

Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
The moneywort is a hardy little plant ; the ice plant is particularly pretty with its leaves sparkling with dew drops, but is not very hardy, nor is the maurandia. The pretty little sedum and wandering Jew are also effective. Anything will grow in a rockery that will grow in the shade or shallow soil. Some of the plants and vines mentioned will not grow in the rockery if entirely shaded, and if it could be situated so that the sun would shine on it an hour or two each day, and the sun- loving plants placed on the sunny side , it would be an improvement. Many of these rockeries, particularly where there is a fish-pond, are placed out in the open grounds, and when the sun shines brightly, then the fishes dart in the shadow of the rocks. HOSE JARS AND PILLOWS. A good way to preserve rose leaves, and one which may be kept for twenty years in all its sweetness, is a scent or sweet jar. When the rose season comes in, gather from day to day the leaves from all varieties. Scent or Sweet Jar for Rose Leaves The weather should be dry and sunny, and they should be gathered as 21 322 HOME-MADE RUGS AND CARPETS. soon as the dew has dried off. Strip the petals from the calyx, throw- ing out those decayed. When a half peck has been collected take a porcelain bowl and in it place alternate layers of the leaves and fine table salt, letting the last layer be of salt, and cover with a plate that fits within the bowl. Let them remain there for 12 hours, then turn, stir and mix them each day for a week. When the entire mass appears moist, add three ounces of allspice to fornvthe stock. Turn the mass thoroughly three more days, adding daily a quarter ounce each of all- spice and ground cinnamon. Put the mixture into the ornamental jar in which it is to be kept, and add the following ingredients, all coarsely powdered : Cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, orange and lemon peel, anise seed and root each one ounce ; black pepper, one quarter ounce ; six grains of musk and the same of oil rose-geranium, lavender, rosemary or any essential oil preferred. Violets, orange flowers, myrtle leaves, clove pinks, jessamine, honeysuckle, mignonette, heliotrope and lemon verbena may all be added as they bloom, and from year to year, always preparing the rose leaves as directed. The jar must be fre- quently stirred and shaken and various perfumes and essential oils added as they are obtained. Never allow the mixture to freeze, and when it becomes dry, moisten with any of the scented waters. Keep the jar tightly closed for a month after mixing, then open whenever the perfume is desired, and it wTill soon permeate the entire house, filling it with a delicious odor like the perfume from a thousand flowers. A favorite pillow, and one much cherished in olden times, was a " rose pillow." This is made by filling a case with dry rose leaves. It is fragrant, and the very thing for a genial nap when headache is the visitor to be entertained, HOME-MADE RUGS AND CARPETS.