Keep the furniture paste or oil in a proper can or jar, that there
may be no danger of upsetting when using it. Have two pieces of
woollen cloth, one for rubbing it on, the other for rubbing it
dry and polishing; also an old linen cloth to finish with, and a
piece of smooth soft cork to rub out the stains: use a brush if the
paste be hard. Always dust the table well before the oil or paste
is put on; and if it should be stained rub it with a damp sponge,
and then with a dry cloth. If the stain does not disappear, rub it
well with the cork, or a brush the way of the grain, for if rubbed
cross-grained, it will be sure to scratch it. Be careful to keep the
cork and brush free from dust and dirt. When the dust is cleaned off
and the stains have been got out, put on the oil or paste, but not
too much at a time; rub it well into the wood; if oil, be as quick
as possible in rubbing it over the table, and then polish it with
another woollen cloth. If wax, put a little bit on the woollen cloth,
with the finger, or a small stick; rub it well with this till the
table has a high polish, then have another cloth to finish it with.
Be very careful to have the edges of the tables well cleaned, and the
oil and wax well rubbed off.