Encyclopedia of Practical Receipts and Processes

How to silver a mirror, brew ginger beer, kill moths, make fireworks, tan a hide, bronze iron, cure a ham and clean a straw hat: William B. Dick's numbered encyclopedia answered the questions a nineteenth-century household actually had.

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To Stop Leaky Skylights

Leaky skylights may be stopped and cured with Dutch rushes, bedded in, caulked, and covered with good white lead. On wet making its appearance it quickly attacks the rush, which swells up so tight and firm that all 6236. To Thicken and Strengthen can be repeated if some of the clinkers still Muslin. Dip the muslin in dilute sulphuric adhere. Salt sprinkled on clinker adhering acid. According to Professor Calvert, of to fire brick will also loosen it .

Manchester, England, this very much in- 6242. Το Preserve Carpets. creases its thickness and strength. The cotton thus prepared is technically known as "blanket." 6237. To Develop the Inscription on Worn Coins. By heating these gradually, the inscription will, in almost all cases, make its appearance.

It is very advisable in laying down carpets at first, to cover the floor beneath them with large sheets of paper, so as to prevent the dust from rising between the boards. A carpet lasts longer by adopting this precaution. 6243. To Prevent Injury to Kid Gloves from Excessive Perspiration.

Persons who wear kid gloves in hot weather, 6238. To Preserve Copper Coins and Medals from the Action of the and who perspire freely, will find that injury Air. Immerse them for a moment in melted to the gloves will be prevented by applying paraffine, and then wipe off the excess of ordinary corn starch to their hands (dry) paraffine with a clean dry cloth.

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