MISCELLANEOUS DEPARTMENT.
FIRE-PROOF PAINT.--Take a sufficient quantity of Water for use; add as
much Potash as can be dissolved therein. When the water will dissolve
no more Potash, stir into the solution first, a quantity of flour paste
of consistency of painter's size; second a sufficiency of pure clay to
render it of the consistency of cream. Apply with a painter's brush.
N.B.--The above will admit of any coloring you please.
WATER-PROOF AND FIRE-PROOF CEMENT FOR ROOFS OF HOUSES.--Slack Stone
Lime in a large tub or barrel with boiling water, covering the tub or
barrel to keep in the steam. When thus slacked pass six quarts through
a fine sieve. It will then be in a state of fine flour. To this add one
quart Rock Salt and one gallon of Water. Boil the mixture and skim it
clean. To every five gallons of this skimmed mixture add one pound of
Alum and one-half pound Copperas; by slow degrees add three-fourths
pound Potash and four quarts fine Sand or Wood Ashes sifted. Both of
the above will admit of any coloring you please. It looks better than
paint and is as durable as slate.
PAINT FOR ROUGH WOODWORK.--Six pounds melted Pitch, one pound Linseed
Oil, and one pound Yellow Ochre.
SUPERIOR PAINT FOR BRICK HOUSES--To Lime Whitewash add, for a fastener,
Sulphate of Zinc, and shade with any color you choose, as Yellow Ochre,
Venetian Red, etc. It outlasts oil paint.
ART OF ETCHING ON COPPER.--Having obtained a piece of fine Copper,
which will be well polished, make a mixture of Beeswax and a small
quantity of Resin; melt these together, and when thoroughly
incorporated by stirring, take a camel's hair brush and cover the
plate, which must previously be warmed by the fire, with an even
coating of the mixture.
When the mixture becomes hardened upon the plate, sketch the desired
object upon the surface, then take an etching point, a large needle
fixed in a handle will do, and cut through the wax to the surface of
the copper, taking care to make the lines as distinct as possible.
This being done, raise a border of wax all around the plate, then pour
strong Nitric Acid on the plate to the depth of an inch. The Acid will
eat away the copper in those places which have been bared by the
etching point. From time to time pour off the acid and wash the plate
to see how the work is going on. Stop up with wax those places that
appear to be etched deep enough, pour Acid upon the others, and let it
remain until the process is completed. This done, melt off the wax
clean the plate, and the etching is ready for the press. This is an
employment from which a good remuneration may be derived.
MAHOGANY FURNITURE VARNISH.--Take of Proof Alcohol one quart, cut
therein all the Gum Shellac it will take, add two ounces of Venice
Turpentine, and coloring to suit. This makes a beautiful polish and
will wear for years.
WATER-PROOF FOR LEATHER.--Take Linseed Oil one pint, Yellow Wax and
White Turpentine each two ounces, Burgundy Pitch two ounces, melt and
color with Lamp Black.
TO TAKE STAINS OUT OF MAHOGANY.--Mix Spirits of Salts six parts, Salt
of Lemons one part, then drop a little on the stains, and rub them till
they disappear.
CEMENTS.--Cements of various kinds should be kept for occasional use.
Flour paste answers very well for slight purposes; if required stronger
than usual, boil a little Glue or put some powdered Resin in it. White
of Egg, or a solution of Glue and a strong Gum Water are good cements.
A paste made of Linseed Meal dries very hard and adheres firmly. A soft
cement is made of Yellow Wax, melted with its weight of Turpentine, and
a little Venetian Red to give it color. This when cool is as hard as
soap, and is very useful to stop up cracks, and is better to cover the
corks of bottles than sealing wax or hard cement.
The best cement for broken china or glass is that sold under the name
of Diamond cement; it is colorless and resists moisture. This is made
by soaking Isinglass in water until it is soft, and then dissolving it
in Proof Spirits; add to this a little Gum Ammoniac or Galbonam or
Mastic, both dissolved in as little Alcohol as possible. When the
cement is to be used, it must be gently liquified by placing the vial
containing it in boiling water. The vial must be well closed with a
good cork, not glass stopper, as they become forced. It is applied to
the broken edges by a camel's hair pencil.
When objects are not to be exposed to the moisture, the White of an Egg
alone is mixed with finely powdered Quicklime, will answer very well;
Shellac dissolved in water is better.
A very strong cement for all earthenware is made by boiling slices of
Skim-Milk Cheese and Water into a paste, then grinding the Quicklime in
a marble mortar, or on a slab with a mallet.
TO MEND IRON.--Mix finely some sifted Lime with the White of an Egg
till a thin sort of paste is formed, then add some Iron Filings. Apply
this to the fracture and the vessel will be found nearly as sound as
ever.
PATENT GLUE.--One pound fine Isinglass and one pint Rain Water, boil
and prepare an ordinary glue, then add slowly, stirring continually,
two ounces Nitric Acid, bottle and it is fit for use. It will
permanently adhere to wood, leather, paper and everything else. It
sells for twenty-five cents an ounce; by keeping it secret Spaulding
has made a fortune out of it; read his advertisement. Truly it is a
young fortune to a good peddler.
PATENT BLACKING.--One gallon Alcohol, one ounce Sulphuric Acid, one and
one-half pounds Gum Shellac; let stand 48 hours, then add one-fourth
pound of Ivory Black. Let stand 24 hours, then carefully pour off the
top. This is ready for use and is water-proof. This recipe cost $50; is
for the polish of all leather. It sells in four ounce bottles at $1 per
bottle.
STENCIL CUTTING.--Take a thin copper or brass plate, lay flat on the
side, then take a sharp edged steel, write thereon the same as common
writing, but press sufficiently hard to cut through the plate. To mark,
lay the plate thus cut upon the cloth, and apply ink by means of a
brush to the back of the plate, and it will wet the cloth where the cut
is made by the writing. A little practice will enable a person to cut
beautifully. There is money to be made at this. Some make $10 a day.
GLUE FOR CEMENTING PAPER AND LEATHER.--Take Isinglass and Parchment
each one ounce, Sugar Candy and Gum Tragacanth each two drachms, add to
them one ounce Water, and boil the whole together till the mixture
appears (when cold) of the consistency of Glue; then pour it into any
form you please. If this glue be wet with the tongue, and rubbed on the
edge of paper, silk or leather that are to be cemented, they will, on
being laid together, pressed tightly and suffered to dry, be as firmly
united as other parts of the substance. It is fine to seal letters.
NEW ENGLAND SOAP.--Take three pounds of hard, white soap, shave it up
fine, dissolve it in ten quarts boiling water; add one ounce Salts of
Tartar, three ounces Borax; then take the same from the fire and set it
away to cool; as soon as it becomes cool enough to bear your hand in,
add one ounce liquid Ammonia; stir each article as you put it in.
TO HARDEN WOOD.--One often desires to impart the hardness of Oak to
shutters, doors, etc., made of soft wood. This is easily done by giving
them a first coating of common gray paint, and then sifting some very
fine sand over it. When dry a coat of paint is laid on, after which the
surface becomes so hard that it will resist the action of sun and rain,
for many years without undergoing the slightest alteration.
WASHING FLUID.--Two pounds crude Potash, one ounce Sal Ammoniac,
one-half ounce Saltpetre, two gallons Rain Water, one pint for eight
gallons of Water, and one pound Soap. Put the clothes to soak over
night and rinse in the morning. This has been sold for $5 for some
time.
LIQUID CEMENT.--Cut Gum Shellac in 70 per cent Alcohol, put it in
vials, and it is ready for use. Apply it to the edge of the broken dish
with a feather, and hold it in a spirit lamp as long as the cement will
simmer, then join together evenly, and when cold the dish will break in
another place first, and is as strong as new.
TO CLEAN WINE DECANTERS.--Use a little Pearl Ash or Soda, and some
Cinders and Water. Rinse them out with water.
TO CLEAN CHINA.--Use a little of Fuller's Earth and Soda or Pearl Ash
with Water.
BURNING FLUID.--Four quarts Alcohol, one pint Spirits of Turpentine;
mix well. It is the best in use.
FLY POISON.--Sugar half ounce, half ounce thoroughly ground Black
Pepper. Make it to thin paste and place it on paper where the flies do
congregate.
FURNITURE POLISH.--Best Vinegar one pint, Turpentine half pint. Mix and
apply with a brush.
PATENT SOAP.--Half pint Turpentine, three pints Sal Soda, three pounds
grease, two pounds Resin Soap, forty gallons Water. Boil one hour and
it is fit for use. This is a great soap. Keep it to yourself.
RAT, MOUSE AND ROACH EXTERMINATOR.--One pint Alcohol, one-fourth ounce
Cayenne Pepper, one ounce powdered Anise Seed, one-fourth ounce
Saltpetre, one-fourth ounce White Lead, four ounces Essence of Hops.
Steam this slowly for an hour, then add thirty drops Quassia. Let stand
48 hours, and add one gallon of Water; bottle for use. To use, saturate
bread, meat, etc., and lay it in their frequented places. In two nights
not one will be seen. It sells for $1.00 per 4-ounce bottle; or drive
them away yourself for $5 a farm or $2 a house.
TO CLEAN BRITIANNIA WARE.--Britiannia ware should be washed with a
woolen cloth and sweet oil, then washed in water and suds, and rubbed
with soft leather and whiting. Thus treated it will retain its beauty
to the last.
THE ART OF PAINTING GLASS.--The only difference between ordinary
painting and painting on glass is, that in the latter all transparent
colors are used instead of opaque ones and the color is ground up with
Turpentine and Varnish instead of Oil. In painting upon glass it is
necessary to place the picture between the artist and the light to
enable him to see the effect, the light having the property of casting
a yellowish tinge upon all colors so exposed. To persons having a
knowledge of coloring, this art is easily learned, and affords a
handsome remuneration.
OIL PASTE FOR BLACKING BOOTS AND SHOES.--Two ounces Oil of Vitriol,
four ounces Tanner's Oil, mix and let stand forty-eight hours, then add
five ounces Molasses and one pound Ivory Black; stir well and then put
up for sale. This has been the fortune of Mason, of Philadelphia.
CRYSTAL CEMENT.--Dissolve one pound of White Glue in one and one-half
pints of hot water, then cut one ounce Gum Shellac in one and one-half
pints Alcohol, and mix with the glue, then stir in two ounces of dry
White Lead, and add one ounce of Turpentine. This makes the best cement
of anything that has been discovered. It will stand heat, and articles
will break in another place sooner than where put together. This is a
fortune to an enterprising man.
FOR CLEANING MARBLE.--Muriatic Acid two lbs., Acetic Acid one-half lb.,
Verdigris one-quarter ounce. Mix and apply with a brush. Wash the stone
after with sponge and water. After the stone is clean rub it smooth
with Pumice Stone, keeping it wet with water. After some little
practice you can clean an old, dirty tombstone so that a marble cutter
cannot detect it from being new work.
A NEW ART, OR THE LIGHTNING INTEREST RULES.--Reduce the whole time to
months and set it down in figures; divide the number of days by three,
and set the quotient down to the right of the months, and multiply that
by the quotient of the money divided by two; the answer will be the
interest at six per cent. To change to any other rate, multiply the
interest by it and divide by six. $160--one year, seven months,
twenty-one days, at six per cent. $160--2--$80 x 197--$15.76 at 6.
Parties in New York are teaching this rule at $5 a scholar.
BOTTLE WAX.--_Black._--Black Resin six and one-half pounds, Beeswax
one-half pound, finely powdered Ivory Black one and one-half pounds.
Melt together. _Red._--As the last, but substitute Venetian Red or
Red Lead for the Ivory Black.
LIQUID MUCILAGE.--Fine clean Glue one pound, Gum Arabic ten ounces,
Water one quart. Melt by heat in glue kettle or water bath; when
entirely melted, add slowly ten ounces strong Nitric Acid, set off to
cool. Then bottle, adding a couple of cloves to each bottle.
BLUING FOR CLOTHES.--Take one ounce of soft Prussian Blue, powder it
and put in a bottle with a quart of clear Rainwater, and add one-fourth
ounce of Oxalic Acid. A teaspoonful is sufficient for a large washing.
SWAIN'S VERMIFUGE.--Wormseed two ounces, Valerian, Rhubarb, Pink-Root,
White Agaric, of each one and one-fourth ounces. Boil in sufficient
water to yield three quarts of decoction and add to it 30 drops of Oil
of Tansy and 45 drops of Oil of Cloves; dissolve in a quart of
rectified spirits. Dose one tablespoonful at night.
TO MAKE PADS.--A piece of fine Woolen Cloth saturated with ink, makes
an excellent pad, but it is customary to place sheet cotton underneath
and muslin over the cloth, bringing the muslin down around the edges
and fasten by tacking on a binding of Tin or Morocco Leather strips.
TO MAKE WAX FLOWERS.--The following articles will be required to
commence wax work: two pounds White Wax, one-fourth pound Hair Wire,
one bottle Carmine, one Ultramarine Blue, one bottle Chrome Yellow, two
bottles Chrome Green, No. 1, two bottles Chrome Green No. 2, one bottle
each of Rose Pink, Royal Purple, Scarlet Powder and Balsam Fir, two
dozen sheets White Wax. This will do to begin with. Now have a clean
tin dish, and pour therein a quart or two of water; then put in about
one pound of the White Wax, and let it boil. When cool enough, so the
bubbles will not form on top, it is ready to sheet, which is done as
follows: Take half a window pane, 7x9, and after having washed it clean
dip into a dish containing weak soap-suds; then dip into the Wax, and
draw out steadily, and plunge it into the suds, when the sheet will
readily come off. Lay it on a cloth or clean paper to dry. Proceed in
like manner until you have enough of the white; then add enough of the
green powder to make a bright color, and heat and stir thoroughly until
the color is evenly distributed, then proceed as for sheeting white
wax. The other colors are rubbed into the leaves after they are cut
out, rubbing light or heavy according to shade.
For patterns you can use any natural leaf, forming the creases in wax
with thumb nail or needle. To put the flowers together, or the leaves
on the stem, hold in the hand until warm enough to stick. If the
sheeted wax is to be used in summer, put in a little Balsam of Fir to
make it hard. If for winter, none will be required.
You can make many flowers without a teacher, but one to assist in the
commencement would be a great help, though the most particular thing
about it is to get the wax sheeted. The materials I have suggested can
be procured at any drug store, and will cost from $3.00 to $4.50.
PORTABLE LEMONADE.--Tartaric Acid one ounce, White Sugar two pounds,
Essense of Lemon one-fourth ounce; powder and keep dry for use. One
dessert spoonful will make a glass of lemonade.
TO NEUTRALIZE WHISKY TO MAKE VARIOUS LIQUORS.--To forty gallons of
Whisky add one and one-half pounds unslacked Lime, three-fourths of a
pound of Alum, and one-half pint Spirits of Nitre. Stand twenty-four
hours and draw it off.
MADEIRA WINE.--To four gallons prepared Cider, add one-fourth pound
Tartaric Acid, four gallons of Spirits, three pounds Loaf Sugar. Let
stand ten days, draw it off carefully. Fine it down, and again rack it
in another cask.
SHERRY WINE.--To forty gallons prepared Cider add two gallons Spirits,
three pounds of Raisins, six gallons good Sherry and one-half ounce Oil
of Bitter Almonds, dissolved in Alcohol. Let it stand ten days, draw it
off carefully. Fine it down, and again rack it in another cask.
ARTIFICIAL HONEY.--Take eight pounds of White Sugar, add two quarts of
Water, boil four minutes, then add one pound of Bee's Honey. Strain
while hot. Flavor with a drop of Oil of Peppermint and a drop of the
Oil of Rose.
PORT WINE.--To forty gallons prepared Cider add six gallons good Port
Wine, ten quarts Wild Grapes, clusters, one-half pound bruised Rhatany
Root, three ounces Tincture of Kino, three pounds Loaf Sugar, two
gallons Spirits. Let this stand ten days. Color, if too light with
Tincture of Rhatany, then rack it off and fine it. This should be
repeated until the color is perfect and the liquid clear.
CLEANING COMPOUND.--Mix one ounce of Borax and one ounce Gum Camphor
with one quart of boiling water. When cool add one pint of Alcohol,
bottle and cork tightly. When wanted for use, shake well and sponge the
garments to be cleaned. This is an excellent mixture for cleaning
soiled black cashmere and woolen dresses, coat collars and black felt
hats.
SHAVING SOAP.--Good white Soap in fine shavings, three pounds; Balm
Soap, one pound; Soft Water, three-fourths of a pound; Soda, one ounce.
Melt carefully over a slow fire in an earthen vessel; then add Oil of
Lavender sixty drops, Oil of Lemon forty drops; mix well and make into
forms.
LEATHER CEMENT.--Take Gutta Percha cut in Chloroform to right
consistency for use. Equal to Cook's best for putting patches on
leather, cloth shoes or boots. Well worth $100.
TO FASTEN PAPER TO TIN.--Take good clear pale yellow Glue, break it
into rather small pieces, and let it soak a few hours in cold water.
Pour off the supernatant water, place the glue thus softened in a
wide-mouthed bottle; add sufficient Glacial Acid to cover the Glue, and
facilitate the solution by standing the bottle in warm water. This
Acetic will stick almost anything.
HUNTERS' AND TRAPPER'S SECRET.--Take equal parts of Oil of Rhodium,
Anise Oil, Sweet Oil and Honey, and mix well. Put a few drops on any
kind of bait. For musk-rats use sweet apples or vegetables for bait.
For mink use a chicken's head or a piece of fresh meat.
FIRE KINDLERS--To make very nice fire kindlers take Resin, any
quantity, and melt it, putting in for each pound being used two or
three ounces or Tallow, and when all is hot stir in Pine Sawdust to
make very thick, and while very hot spread it out about one inch thick,
upon boards which have fine Sawdust sprinkled upon them to prevent it
from sticking. When cold break up into lumps about an inch square. But
if for sale take a thin board and press upon it while yet warm, to lay
it off into inch squares. This makes it break regularly, if you press
the crease sufficiently deep. Grease the marked board to prevent it
sticking.
RED SEALING WAX.--Purchase four pounds Shellac, one and one-half pounds
Veneer Turpentine, three pounds finest Cinnabar, and four ounces
Venetian; mix the whole well together and melt over a very slow fire.
Pour it on a thick, smooth glass, or any other flat smooth surface, and
make it into three, six or ten sticks.
FURNITURE POLISH.--Equal parts Sweet Oil and Vinegar and a pint of Gum
Arabic finely powdered. Shake the bottle and apply with a rag. It will
make furniture look as good as new.
BLACK SEALING WAX.--Purchase the best Black Resin three pounds, Beeswax
one-half pound, and finely powdered Ivory Black one pound. Melt the
whole together over a slow fire, and make it into sticks.
CEMENT FOR LEATHER.--Virgin India Rubber dissolved in Bisulphide of
Carbon. Add Bisulphide until of proper consistency to apply. After
applying hold a moderately warm iron over the patch.
AROMATIC SCHIEDAM SCHNAPPS, to imitate.--To twenty-five gallons good
common Gin, five over proof, add fifteen pints strained Honey, two
gallons clear Water, five pints White Sugar Syrup, five pints Spirits
of Nutmeg, mixed with Nitric Ether, five pints Orange Flower Water,
seven quarts pure Water, one ounce Acetic Ether, eight drops Oil of
Wintergreen dissolved with the Acetic Ether. Mix all the ingredients
well; if necessary, fine with Alum and Salt of Tartar.
CHAMPAGNE CIDER.--Good Cider, pale, one hogshead, Spirits three
gallons, Honey or Sugar twenty pounds. Mix and let them stand for two
weeks; then fine with skimmed Milk one-half gallon. This will be very
pale, and a similar article, when bottled in champagne bottles and
silvered and labeled, has often been sold to the ignorant for
champagne.
CIDER WITHOUT APPLES.--To one gallon of cold Water add dark brown Sugar
one pound, Tartaric Acid one-half ounce, Yeast three tablespoonfuls.
Shake well together.
ST. CROIX RUM.--To forty gallons p. or n. Spirits add two gallons St.
Croix Rum, two ounces Acetic Acid, one and one-half ounces Butyric
Acid, three pounds Loaf Sugar.
IRISH OR SCOTCH WHISKY.--To forty gallons proof Spirits add sixty drops
Creosote dissolved in one quart of Alcohol, two ounces Acetic Acid, one
pound Loaf Sugar. Stand forty-eight hours.
FRENCH BRANDY.--Pure Spirits one gallon, best French Brandy for any
kind you wish to imitate, one quart, Loaf Sugar two ounces, Sweet
Spirits Nitre one-half ounce, a few drops of Tincture of Catechu or Oak
Bark, to roughen the taste, if desired, and color to suit.
ENGLISH GIN.--Plain Malt Spirits one hundred gallons, Spirits of
Turpentine one pint, Bay Salt seven pounds. Mix and distill. The
difference in the flavor of Gin is produced by varying the proportion
of Turpentine, and by occasionally adding a small quantity of Juniper
Berries.
FRENCH FURNITURE POLISH.--Alcohol 98 per cent one pint, Gum Copal and
Shellac of each one ounce, Dragon's Blood. Mix and dissolve by setting
in a warm place.
TO TAKE FAC-SIMILES OF SIGNATURES.--Write your name on a piece of
paper, and while the ink is wet sprinkle over it some finely powdered
Gum Arabic, then make a rim around it and pour on it some Fusible Alloy
in a liquid state. Impressions may be taken from the plates formed in
this way by means of printing ink and a copperplate press.
CHEMICAL COMPOUND.--Aqua Ammonia two ounces, soft Water one quart,
Saltpetre one teaspoonful, Shaving Soap in shavings one ounce. Mix all
together. Dissolve the Soap well, and any grease or dirt that cannot be
removed with this preparation nothing else need be tried for it.
DISTILLING WHISKY FROM MOLASSES.--Take five gallons of Molasses, mix
thoroughly with twenty-five gallons soft Water in a barrel. Stir in
one-half gallon Brewer's Yeast; let it set from five to seven days in a
warm place, say 70 degrees. During this time fermentation will proceed,
which is known by a bubbling sensation. When this subsides it is ready
for distilling. To distill use a common washing boiler, with the top
well closed and a hole in the same, or thimble soldered on for the
steam to pass through a pipe. Connect a tin pipe, say two inches in
diameter and ten feet long with a short elbow end to the boiler; let
the other end incline downward. Fill the boiler one-half full of the
fermented wort, boil slowly and regularly until there is no taste of
spirits left. The atmosphere condenses the steam. In this case if it
should not entirely condense it lengthen or enlarge the pipe. The
liquid thus obtained is low wines, and to use the same process of
running proof spirits can be obtained. To continue this daily any given
amount of molasses, etc., can be mixed, say one barrel each day. Five
quarts can be obtained from four quarts of common molasses.
Intoxicating liquors of any and all kinds are the father of crime, the
mother of abomination, the devil's best friend, and God's worst enemy.
INK POWDER.--Powdered Nut Galls four ounces, Copperas three ounces,
Logwood one ounce, Gum Arabic one-half ounce. Sufficient for one quart
of water.
FLORIDA WATER.--Dissolve in one-half gallon of 90 per cent Alcohol, one
ounce each of Oil of Lavender, Oil of Bergamot and Oil of Lemon and Oil
of Cloves and Cinnamon, one drachm each; add one gallon of Water and
filter.
MOLASSES CANDY.--Boil Molasses over a moderately hot fire, stirring
constantly. When you think it is done drop a little on a plate, and if
sufficiently boiled it will be hard. Add a small quantity of Vinegar to
render it brittle and any flavoring ingredient you prefer. Pour in
buttered tin pans. If nuts are to be added strew them in the pans
before pouring out the candy.
TO MAKE EGGS OF PHARAOH'S SERPENTS.--Take Mercury and dissolve it in
moderately diluted Nitric Acid by means of heat, take care, however,
that there be always an excess of Metallic Mercury remaining. Decant
the solution and pour it in a solution of Sulphocyanide of Ammonia or
Potassium, which may be bought at a good drug store or of a dealer in
chemicals. Equal weights of both will answer. A precipitate will fall
to the bottom of the beaker or jar, which is to be collected on a
filter, and washed two or three times with water, when it is put in a
warm place to dry. Take for every pound of this material one ounce of
Gum Tragacanth, which has been soaked in hot water. When the gum is
completely softened, it is to be transferred to a mortar, and then
pulverized and dried precipitate gradually mixed with it, by means of a
little water, so as to present a somewhat dried pill mass, from which,
by hand, pellets of the desired size are formed, put on a piece of
glass, and dried again. They are then ready for use.
BOOT AND SHOE BLACKING.--Ivory Black one pound, Molasses two ounces,
Olive Oil four ounces, Oil of Vitriol four ounces, Alcohol eight
ounces, Rye Flour one pound. Mix them together in a kettle.
ANGLER'S SECRET NO. 1.--Mix the juice of Lovage or Smellage, or
spoiled cheese, with any kind of bait.
No. 2.--Mullen Seed pulverized and mixed with dough, and sprinkled on
the surface of still water, intoxicates fish and makes them turn up on
the top of the water.
BRISTOL'S TOOTH POWDER.--Prepared Chalk one pound, Castile Soap
one-half pound, powdered Yellow Bark two ounces, powdered Gum Myrrh two
ounces, powdered Loaf Sugar two ounces, powdered Orris two ounces; mix
intimately, after having first pulverized the Castile Soap.
ROYAL WASHING POWDER.--Mix any quantity of Soda Ash with an equal
portion of Carbonate of Soda--ordinary Soda--crushed into coarse
grains. Have a thin solution of Glue, or decoction of Linseed Oil
ready, into which pour the Soda until quite thick. Spread it out on
boards in a warm apartment to dry. As soon as dry, shake up well, so
that it will pack easily into nice square packages. Label neatly. Pound
packages cost seven cents; retails for thirty-five cents.
EGYPTIAN CEMENT.--For mending china, glass or woodenware: Take one
pound of the best White Glue, one-half pound dry White Lead, one quart
soft Water, one-half pint Alcohol. Put the three first articles in a
dish, and that dish in a pot of boiling water. Let it boil until
dissolved, then add the Alcohol, and boil again until mixed. A little
Camphor should be added, to preserve it and disguise its composition.
Put in small bottles; 25 cents each.
"HANDY" WATER PENS.--Take best quality violet Analine, reduce to a
thick paste with water; then add Mucilage and mix thoroughly. Apply the
paste thus made to the pen, and let it dry twelve hours Any steel pen
may be prepared in this way. We always keep in stock the best violet
Analine, also a large stock of pens.
_Directions for Using._--Start action by dipping into water up to
filling. If pen should be greasy, wet point with the tongue. To make
the ink flow thick, dip to the filling; if wanted thin or pale, dip
only to the eye of the pen after starting. After using throw the water
off, but don't wipe it, for it will dry in a minute.
ARTIFICIAL OYSTERS.--Grate green corn in a dish; to one pint of this
add one egg well beaten, small teacup of flour, half a cup of butter,
salt and pepper; mix well together and fry them brown.
PASTE THAT WILL NOT SOUR.--Dissolve one-half of an ounce of Alum in a
pint of boiling water, add an equal weight of Flour, made smooth in a
little cold water, and a few drops of Oil of Cloves, and let the whole
come to a boil. Put it into glass or ointment jars. It will keep for
months.
ESSENCES are made with one ounce of any given oil added to one pint of
Alcohol. Peppermint is colored with Tincture Turmeric, Cinnamon with
Tincture Red Saunders, Wintergreen with Tincture Kino.
TINCTURES are made with one ounce of Gum, Root, or Bark, etc., dried,
to each pint of proof spirits and let it stand one week and filter.
OLEOMARGARINE MANUFACTURE.--The process by which suet is converted into
the substance called oleamargarine is as follows: The crude suet after
first being washed in cold water is "rendered," melted, and then drawn
off into movable tanks. The hard substance is subjected to a hydraulic
pressure of 350 tons, and the oil extracted. The butter is made from
the oil thus obtained, while the hard substance remaining is disposed
of as stearine. The oil, being carried off into churns, is mixed with
milk and from three to five per cent of dairy butter. It is then drawn
off in a consistent form, and cooled with broken ice. The latter is
soon removed, and the butter worked up with a small portion of salt.
When this is done the article is ready for packing and consumption.
SILVER PLATING FLUID.--Take one ounce Precipitate Silver to one-half
ounce Cyanite of Potash and one-fourth ounce of Hyposulphate of Soda.
Put all in a quart of water, add a little Whiting, and shake before
using. Apply with a soft rag. Put up in ounce bottles, and retail for
25 cents. The secret is worth $100 to an agent to sell to families.
MUCILAGE FOR LABELS.--Dextrine two ounces, Glycerine one drachm,
Alcohol one ounce, water six ounces.
FIG CANDY.--Take one pound of Sugar and one pint of Water, set over a
slow fire. When done add a few drops of Vinegar and a lump of Butter,
and pour into a pan in which Figs are laid.
RAISIN CANDY.--Can be made in the same manner, substituting stoned
raisins for the Figs. Common Molasses Candy is very nice with any kind
of nuts added.
PEPPERMINT, ROSE, or HOARHOUND CANDY.--These may be made as Lemon
Candy. Flavor with Essence of Rose, or Peppermint, or finely powdered
Hoarhound. Pour it out in a buttered paper, placed in a square tin pan.
COLOGNE.--Take one gallon 95 per cent Alcohol or Cologne Spirits, two
ounces Oil of Bergamot, one-half ounce Orange, one-half ounce Oil of
Cedar, one-half drachm Oil of Nevio, one-half drachm Oil Rosemary. Mix
well and it is fit for use. A nice article.
BAY RUM, EQUAL TO THE BEST IMPORTED.--Oil of Bay, fine, one and
one-half drachms, Oil of Neroli (bigard) ten drops, Ether Acetic two
drachms, Alcohol deod. (strong) three pints, Water, two and one-fourth
pints, Caromel sufficient to tinge. Let it stand two weeks and filter.
COPYING PAD.--White Gelatine four ounces, Water eight ounces, Glycerine
eight ounces, Gum Dextrine two ounces. Always use these same
proportions for any amount. Melt the Gelatine in the water at a gentle
heat, add to it the Glycerine, in which the Gum Dextrine has been
thoroughly incorporated. Now stir all together until thoroughly mixed
and then pour into pans of the desired size, to the depth of one-half
inch.
_Recipe for Ink to Be Used._--Violet Analine forty grains, Gum Arabic
twelve grains, Alcohol one-fourth ounce, Water one-half ounce. Dissolve
the Gum in the Water and Alcohol, then add the Analine. Shake in a
bottle from time to time until the Analine is dissolved.
_To work the Copying Pad._--Write with ink on any good paper, press the
written surface on the pad and allow it to remain two minutes; then
take off and the writing will remain, from which impressions may be
taken by laying on plain paper, and smoothing with the hand. As soon as
the last impression is taken be sure and wash off with a wet sponge.
TO BORE HOLES IN GLASS.--Any hard steel tool will cut glass with great
facility when kept freely wet with camphor dissolved in turpentine. A
drill bow may be used, or even the hand alone. A hole bored may be
readily enlarged by a round file. The ragged edges of glass vessels may
also be thus easily smoothed by a flat file. Flat window glass can be
readily sawed by a watch spring saw by aid of this solution. In short
the most brittle glass can be wrought almost as easily as brass by the
use of cutting tools kept constantly moist with Camphorized Oil of
Turpentine.
TO ETCH UPON GLASS.--Procure several thick, clear pieces of crown
glass; and immerse them in Melted Wax, so that they may receive a
complete coating, or pour over them a solution of Wax in Benzine. When
perfectly cold draw on them with a fine steel point, flowers, trees,
houses, portraits, etc. Whatever parts of the drawings are intended to
be corroded with the acid should be perfectly free from the least
particle of wax. When all these drawings are finished the pieces of
glass must be immersed one by one in a square leaden box or receiver,
where they are to be submitted to the action of Hydroflouric Acid Gas,
made by acting on Powdered Flour-Spar by Concentrated Sulphuric Acid.
When the glasses are sufficiently corroded, they are to be taken out,
and the wax is to be removed by first dipping them in warm and then in
hot water, or by washing with turpentine or benzine. Various colors may
be applied to the corroded parts of the glass, whereby a fine painting
may be executed. In the same manner sentences and initials of names may
be etched on wine-glasses, tumblers, etc.
RUBBER HAND STAMPS.--Set up the desired name and address in common
type, oil the type, and place a guard about one-half inch high around
the form. Now mix Plaster of Paris to the desired consistency, pour in
and allow it to set. Have your Vulcanized Rubber all ready, as made in
long strips three inches wide and one-eighth of an inch thick, cut off
the size of the intended stamp. Remove the plaster cast from the type,
and place both the cast and the rubber in a screw press, applying
sufficient heat to thoroughly soften the rubber, then turn down the
screw hard, and let it remain until the rubber receives the exact
impression of the cast and becomes cold, when it is removed, neatly
trimmed with a sharp knife, and cemented to the handle, ready for use.
COMMON TWIST CANDY.--Boil three pounds of common Sugar and one pint of
water over a slow fire for half an hour without skimming. When boiled
enough take it off, rub your hands over with butter; take that which is
a little cooled and pull it as you would molasses candy, until it is
white; then twist or braid it and cut it up in strips.
STICKY FLY PAPER.--Boiled Linseed Oil and Rosin; melt and add honey.
Soak the paper in a strong solution of Alum, then dry before applying
the above.
KISS-ME-QUICK.--Spirits one gallon, Essence of Thyme one-fourth ounce,
Essence of Orange Flowers two ounces, Essence of Neroli one-half ounce,
Otto of Roses thirty drops, Essence of Jasmine one ounce, Essence of
Balm Mint one-half ounce, Petals of Roses four ounces, Oil of Lemon
twenty drops, Calorous Aromaticus one-half ounce, Essence Neroli
one-fourth ounce. Mix and strain.
HOW TO TEST THE RICHNESS OF MILK.--Procure any long glass vessel--a
cologne bottle or long phial. Take a narrow strip of paper, just the
length from the neck to the bottom of the phial, and mark it off with
100 lines at equal distances, or into fifty lines, and count each as
two, and paste upon the phial so as to divide its length into 100 equal
parts. Fill it to the highest mark with milk fresh from the cow, and
allow it to stand in a perpendicular position 24 hours. The number of
spaces occupied by the cream will give you its exact percentage in the
milk without any guess work.
FINE PEPPERMINT LOZENGES.--Best powdered White Sugar seven pounds, pure
Starch one pound, Oil of Peppermint to flavor. Mix with Mucilage.
HOW TO FASTEN RUBBER TO WOOD AND METAL.--As rubber plates and rings are
nowadays used almost exclusively for making connections between steam
and other pipes and apparatus, much annoyance is often experienced by
the impossibility or imperfection of an air-tight connection. This is
obviated entirely by employing a cement which fastens alike well to the
rubber and to the metal or wood. Such cement is prepared by a solution
of Shellac in Ammonia. This is best made by soaking pulverized Gum
Shellac in ten times its weight of strong Ammonia, when a slimy mass is
obtained, which in three or four weeks will become liquid without the
use of hot water. This softens the rubber and becomes, after
volatilization of the Ammonia, hard and impermeable to gases and
fluids.
TO TRANSFER PRINTED MATTER AND PRINT FROM IT AGAIN.--Take your picture
or print and soak it for a short time in a weak solution of Caustic
Potash, then remove it carefully, and let it dry on a sheet of clean
paper. Then take a piece of copper, zinc, or steel, which has
previously been well cleaned, and dip it into hot white wax. Let the
first coat set, then dip again. Having got the plate thoroughly coated
and set, lay the matter to be transferred on the plate, and rub it
gently all over on the back; now raise it up, and it will be
transferred on to the wax on the plate. Now take needles of a different
thickness, and scrawl all over the wax, following the lines of the
engraving. Having got the picture all traced out, pour upon it some
weak acid if you use zinc, which is too soft to print many from,
therefore it is better to use copper or steel. If you use copper, make
the following solution to pour over it: Verdigris four parts, Salt four
parts, Sal Ammoniac four parts, Alum one part, Water sixteen parts,
Sour Vinegar twelve parts. Dissolve by heat. For steel, use
Pyroligneous Acid five parts, Alcohol one part, Nitric Acid one part.
Mix the first two, then add the Nitric Acid. Pouring the preparations
over the plates where the traces of the pictures are, it will eat into
the metal plate without affecting the wax. Let it stand till it has
eaten a sufficient depth, then wash the plate with cold water, dry it
and place it near the fire till all the wax is melted off. You can now
print as many as you please from the plate by rubbing on it printer's
ink, so as to fill all the fine spaces; which, when done, wipe it over
smoothly with clean cloths to remove the superfluous ink which is on
the face of the plate. Now take damp paper or cardboard, and press it
on the plate, either with a copying press or the hand, and you get a
fine impression, or as many as you want by repeating the inking
process. I would recommend beginners to try their skill with valueless
prints before attempting to make transfers of fine engravings, as the
picture to be transferred is destroyed by the process.
I.X.L. BAKING POWDER.--Take one pound Tartaric Acid in Crystals, one
and one-half pounds Bi-Carbonate of Soda, and one and one-half pounds
of Potash Starch. Each must be powdered separately, well dried by a
slow heat, well mixed through a sieve. Pack hard in tinfoil, tin or
paper glazed on the outside. The Tartaric Acid and Bi-Carbonate of Soda
can of course be bought cheaper of wholesale druggists than you can
make them, unless you are doing things on a large scale, but Potato
Starch any one can make. It is only necessary to peel the potatoes and
to grate them up fine into vessels of water, to let them settle, pour
off the water, and make the settlings into balls, and dry them. With
these directions anyone can make as good baking-powder as is sold
anywhere. If he wants to make it very cheap, he can take Cream of
Tartar and common Washing (Carbonate) Soda, instead of the articles
named in the recipe, but this would be advisable only where customers
insist on excessively low prices in preference to quality of goods.
EVERLASTING FENCE POSTS.--I discovered many years ago that wood could
be made to last longer than iron in the ground, but thought the process
so simple and inexpensive that it was not worth while to make any stir
about it. I would as soon have poplar, basswood, or quaking ash as any
other kind of timber for fence posts. I have taken out basswood posts
after having been set seven years, which were as sound when taken out
as when they were first put in the ground. Time and weather seem to
have no effect on them. The posts can be prepared for less than two
cents apiece. This is the recipe: Take boiled Linseed Oil and stir it
in pulverized Charcoal to the consistency of paint. Put a coat of this
over the timber, and there is not a man that will live to see it rot.
LIQUID GLUE.--To one ounce of Borax in one pint of boiling water, add
two ounces of Shellac, and boil until the Shellac is dissolved.
TO MEND TINWARE BY THE HEAT OF A CANDLE.--Take a phial about two-thirds
full of Muriatic Acid and put into it little bits of Sheet Zinc as long
as it dissolves them; then put in a crumb of Sal Ammoniac and fill up
with water and it is ready to use. Then with the cork of the phial, wet
the place to be mended with the preparation; then put a piece of Zinc
over the hole and hold a lighted candle or spirit lamp under the place,
which melts the solder on the tin, and causes the zinc to adhere
without further trouble. Wet the zinc also with the solution; or a
little solder may be put on instead of the zinc or with the zinc.
TO WHITEN AND SOFTEN THE HANDS.--Take one-half lb. Mutton Tallow, one
ounce Camphor Gum, one ounce Glycerine; melt, and when thoroughly
mixed, set away to cool. Rub the hands with this every night.
A BRANDING INK.--A waterproof branding ink, good for marking sheep:
Shellac two ounces, Borax two ounces, Water twenty-four ounces, Gum
Arabic two ounces, Lamp Black sufficient. Boil the Borax and Shellac in
the water till they are dissolved, and withdraw them from the fire.
When the solution becomes cold, complete 25 ounces with water, and add
Lamp Black enough to bring the preparation to a suitable consistency.
When it is to be used with a stencil it must be made thicker than when
it is used with a brush. The above gives black ink. For red ink
substitute Venetian Red for Lamp Black; for blue Ultramarine; and for
green a mixture of Ultramarine and Chrome Yellow.
FRENCH POLISH, or DRESSING FOR LEATHER.--Mix two pints best Vinegar
with one pint soft water. Stir into it one-fourth pound Glue, broken
up, one-half pound Logwood chips, one-fourth ounce finely powdered
Indigo, one-fourth ounce best soft Soap, and one-fourth Isinglass. Put
the mixture over the fire, and let it boil ten minutes or more; then
strain, bottle and cork. When cold it is fit for use. Apply with a
sponge.
NEW YORK BARBER'S STAR HAIR OIL.--Castor Oil six and one-half pints,
Alcohol one and one-half pints, Citronella and Lavender Oil, each
one-half ounce.
BARBER'S SHAMPOOING MIXTURE.--Soft Water one pint, Sal Soda one ounce,
Cream Tartar one-fourth ounce. Apply thoroughly to the hair.
CRUCIBLES.--The best crucibles are made of a pure fire clay, mixed with
finely ground cement of oil crucibles, and a portion of black lead or
graphite; some pounded coke may be mixed with the plumbago. The clay
should be prepared in a similar way as for making pottery ware. The
vessels, after being formed, must be slowly dried, and then properly
baked in a kiln.
_Black Lead Crucibles_ are made of two parts of Graphite and one of
Fire Clay, mixed with Water into a paste, pressed in moulds, and well
dried, but not baked hard in the kiln. This compound forms excellent
small or portable furnaces.
WHAT TO INVENT, AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INVENTION.
WHAT TO INVENT.--Cheap, useful articles that will sell at sight.
Something that everyone needs, and the poorest can afford. Invent
simple things for the benefit of the masses, and your fortune is made.
Some years back a one-armed soldier amassed a fortune from a single
toy--a wooden ball attached to a rubber string. They cost scarcely
anything, yet millions were sold at a good price. A German became
enormously rich by patenting a simple wooden plug for beer barrels.
"What man has done, man may do."
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INVENTION.--Patent it. If you do not, others will
reap the benefits that rightfully belong to you.
A PATENT IS A PROTECTION given to secure the inventor in the profits
arising from the manufacture and sale of an article of his own
creation.
TO WHOM LETTERS PATENT ARE GRANTED.--Section 4886 of the Revised
Statutes of the United States provides that: "Any person who has
invented or discovered any new and useful art, machine, manufacture or
composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, not
known or used by others in this country, and not patented or described
in any printed publication in this or any foreign country, before his
invention or discovery thereof, and not in public use, or on sale for
more than two years prior to his application, unless the same is proved
to have been abandoned, may, upon the payment of the fees required by
law, and other due proceedings had, obtain a patent therefor."
And section 4888 of the same Statute enacts: