The San Francisco call. [volume], February 26, 1911, Image 15

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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The San Francisco Sunday Call
♦*♦««♦«»♦« *+.~^^
California's Housekeepers
THE HAREM SKIRT ARRIVES-WILL OUR WOMEN EVER WEAR IT?
How Jo Make Concrete Walks
Mr«. 11. I.'rikeiiM, (SIM Tinker Street, San
Franrlaro
The value of concrete to the home
builder is unlimited, and almost any
woman can learn its use. Some walks
are laid right on top of the ground, but
usually a foundation Is made of broken
rock, bricks or even cinders, which
serves the purpose of drainage. Stake
off the dimensions, excavate any de
sired depth from 4 to 10 inches, fill In
with the foundation stuff to within two
or three Inches of the top, then place
boards for forming the edge inside the
stakes.
Now mix on some boards, in a dry
state, three parts gravel, two parts sand
free from soil, with one part fresh port
land cement. Every particle ~of sand
and gravel must be coated with the ce
ment. This Is Imperative. Next pour on
water, mix till thoroughly moist or
slopping wet. which is better, as it .will
need no tamping; and cover the walk
with a layer of this mixture..
For the finishing layer mix, In a dry
state. 2 parts clean sand with one part
cement. When' the sand is.coated wet
till it Is of,the consistency of thin mor
tar. Pour this on, a little higher in the
middle, and trowel while wet until the
surface is smooth.
If desired the walk^can ha) marked
(ft* In blocks. Cover with boards for
four or five days, and if the weather Is
tlry water the concrete every day. No
amount of water will Injure it, as water
Is necessary for the proper hardening
of concrete.
' ■ . — - \ ...,
Washing Fluid
Mr». W. B. McClellan, 1280 Magnolia
Street, Oakland
One pound of Babbitt's potash . dis
solved in four quarts of. water. When •
cool add one ounce, of salts of tartar,
one ounce of lump- ammonia dissolved -,
In hot water, , To use: Half a cup of
fluid to two and a half palls of water
with half a* cup of shaved soap.
A Home Made Asbestos Table
Cover
Mrs. 11. C. Wharton. 61>« Thirty-fifth
Street, Oakland
plumbers' aafeMtoa of a medium
weight. It may be had at any plumb
ers' supply store and is very che&p.
Cut two piece*, each the size of half
the table when dosed. Also cut a piece
to fit each leaf, so that they may be In-
Berted when the table is extended. Buy
enough canton flannel or flannelette to
cover both sides of all these pieces, and
stitch over the asbestos by binding on
the edge with white tape. K^p the
fuzzy aide out, as this aflts the same as
a "husher" cloth, and the asbestos
keeps all heat from marring the pol
ished table top. These pieces can he
rolled when put away, but if wanted
to fold It would be best to cut each
piece of asbestos in two before cover
ing and Uien cover with the large
pieces of flannel as before, running a
line of machine stitching along the cut
edge. Thig makes a hinge In the cen
ter of each piece, and it may then be
folded In two.
To Clean Hair Brushes
Mlaa Mabel Hart, 517 ( onnritlmt
Street, San Fran<i«c.,
Take a t: of ammonia Into
tepid water, tip the brushes up and
down until clean. Then dry with the
brushes downward and they will look
Ilka new.
To Clean White Furs
Mm. C. K. Real, Hakrrsnrlri
Half fill a stone jar with white corn
meal, place It on the stove and heat
the meal as hot as the hand can be
borne In It, stirring to prevent the
meal from scorching. Put one piece
at a time In this, and rub until clean;
then beat out the meal with a stick.
Heat further if needed for other pieces,
aa the meal must be hot
THK ncwr>r tfung fn sßlrtv has
arrived. It is a Parisian impor
tation, and while it may never be
destined to become popular with
the women of the west, it is neverthe
less attaining no little favoritism in
the east and abroad. The harem skirt
is the latest invention in the realm of
feminine fashion, and comes fmm the
brain and fingers of M. Paul Poiret,
the famous originator of the hobble
skirt, which has boen in such vogue
during the winter months.
It is said in Paris, the home of the
new skirt, that the hobble is doomed,
but that, of course, remains to be
cffn Suffice it to say that the harem
skirt is being adapted to every form
of dress, from eo]f rig to evening
gown, and San Francisco is eagerly
■—— — '»
Little Helps
Mrs. M. Mrktri, 1130 Kill* Street, San
Francisco.
Use a taper for lighting the gas stove
after one of the burners is lighted. This
saves matches, Is quicker and there is
less danger of burning, one's self.
Whenever you do use matches throw
them afterward into a tin box they are
fine for light kindling when starting a
coal fire, and besides it is safer. Keep
your unburned matches In a tin box
also.
Put a cork in your water kettle spout
and it will boil In half the time. Also
keep the spouts of your coffee and tea
pots closed or stuff them with paper or
a cork so that they will retain the
aroma and thus materially Improve the
flavor of these beverages.
In cooking- pot roasts, soups and
stews keep them in pots that have
closely fitting covers. A Dutch oven or
rather the Iron pot bearing that name,
is invaluable for this purpose, and the
food cooked in them is tasty and de
licious.
To Clean Carpets
Mia* Irene M. \uunnnn, 15 Hnuab Street,
' San' Francisco
To thoroughly clean a carpet soak
some coarse sawdust In gasoline, sprin
kle it over the carpet, and brush it in,
rubbing it well Into the soiled parts
with the •, broom. Then sweep It off
thoroughly, going over the 'ground a
second time, and . you will be surprised
to note what a change this will make
in ; your carpets,. It will ; not ", hurt the
most delicate colors, and the sawdust
will all brush off, taking the dirt
with it. '
To Stretch Curtains
If you do not possess a curtain
stretcher, stretch a quilt on the clothes
line and • pin the curtains to It "and you
will have your curtains looking aa nice
and ' fresh after they are dry aa if : they %.
had been placed in a stretcher.
awaiting its initial appearance in
Market street.
Rumors of a momentous change in
women's fashions have been wafted
overseas for some time past, and the
new styles have been awaited with no
little anticipation. But far in advance
of all expectations is the reality.
The harem skirt is not by any
means a bloomer creation. It is a
skirt fitted in snugly at the waist line.
But it is divided. The two parts of
the skirt fall about the ankles into a
fullness equal to any smart tailored
or normal skirt, and require a great
deal more cloth than the ordinary
hobble. In donning it. the wearer
does not slip it over the head in the
prescribed manner of times past, nor
does she hook it up the back or side
or front. The garment when held up
Ideas That Will Help Along Household Affairs
Bits of Useful Knowledge
Mrs. M. H. Wharton, «0« Thirty-llfth
Street, Oakland. ( al
When returning freshly starched cur
tains to their rods, try slipping a thim
ble over the end of the rod, and see how
easily they slip on.
In cutting out dresses I use thumb
tacks to hold the pattern In place, and
find them a great aid.
Kettles in which food has been burned
are easily cleaned by filling with cold
water to which is added a lump of
washing soda. Let come to a boil.
In making mayonnaise dressing, cut
two V shaped vents in the cork of
the oil bottle. Have them opposite each
other. The bottle may then be rested
on the table and you can sit in a chair
while mixing the dressing. The oil
will flow In a steady small stream as
needed.
In washing dishes put the soap in
a baking powder can. one end of which
has been hammered full of holes. This
keeps small particles of soap from ad
hering to the dishes.
Some flowers when cut wilt very
easily, such as poppies, heliotrope, nas
turtiums, etc. Put them in hot water
as soon as cut and they will not wilt.
Try ironing embroidered waists on a
folded turklsh towel. Hooks and but
tons are also better managed in this
way.
When making jelly put the top of
the jelly bag In the wringer. The
wringer can then be gradually turned
to extract the juice into the dish below.
When making soup stock quickly
(not having time to allow it to cool to
remove the fat), place pieces of light
brown paper on the top of It. As soon
as each piece is saturated with fat re
move and place another on, until the
soup is clear.
To remove candle grease from cloth-
Ing, cover with a piece of blotting paper
and press with a hot Iron.
Remove the wrappers from each bar
of soap as soon as bought and let it
thoroughly dry out. It will harden and
last twice as long.
Hints for the Housewife
Minn Mnrlon V. Monli, Box 23, R. F. D.
N«. 1, Sebnatopol
Although there are many new liquids
for brightening and freshening car
pets, nothing will do bitter work than
oxgall. Use one gill to a gallon of
cold water, stirring the oxgall Into the
water with a stick. With a soft brush
rub the carpet, making a white lather.
Two persons should do this work, one
following the other and washing the
lather off with cold water. The water
should be changed often, and then the
carpet should be rubbed with a clean
cloth until dry.
Flannels and woolens should not be
touched with a hot iron.
Lace that 1b strong and whole but
soiled or stained beyond cleaning may
be dyed a pretty creamy color by steep
ing In coffee. Iron while damp.
Helps
Ml»» Ka<* Fanoe, Gonaalea
Cut flowers may be kept fresh by
adding salt to the water.
To remove soot from the carpet: Cover
thoroughly with salt; then sweep both
up together, and It will leave no stain
whatever.
To remove Ink stains: Caver the «pot
with salt; then squeeze lemon juice on
It, thoroughly wetting the «alt: hold
over a tea kettle to steam. Repeat this
process until spot disappears.
One teaspoon of ammonia to a cup of
water applied with a rag will clean
•liver or gold jewelry perfectly.
to view very much resembles an
apron. On the inner side are two
pocket looking arrangements, into
which miladi inserts her two little feet,
and. presto, change! the harem is on.
Now, over the pantaloon skirt in
back is a panel, and likewise one in
front. These may be bnttoned
smoothly to the knees or lower, but if
miladi wishes, when playing golf or
tennis, or indulging in any other ath
letic form of amusement, the panel
may be unbuttoned and removed com
pletely. There will then be left a
skirt for athletics.
That the hobble skirt, when confined
to reasonable limit?, has become ex
tremely popular with the up to date
woman is an admitted fact. Among
its many advantages is the fact that
on account of its scant dimensions, it
Cleaning Made Easier
Blanche F. Gofflnrt, I.akrvllle
Save all your old pieces of woolen
cloth and use them for polishing stoves.:
They will prove more satisfactory than
brushes, will polish ias well . and ■; no
dust will arise. Also use them for
polishing nickel and silverware.' !> 4 Use :
■ kerosene or vinegar for cleansing and
brightening the zinc around the stove.
It is not very interesting when your
sink gets stained as It generally does
In fruit season, and Is very difficult to
: remove, but if chloride j of lime Is
sprinkled on the wet sink, and allowed
to remain for a few ; hours "or . over"
night, it will be spotlessly white.
The busy housewife who hasn't the
time to polish her silverware weekly
should place It In a pan of very hot
water in which: a ; few tablespoons of
ammonia has been added and allow It
to remain therein for a few moments,
drying while very warm with a coarse
Cloth. . • -■ :'■- ' : ', ■; : - .■.-■■■•. i.\'":-;
-If milk can not be obtained for wash-
Ing linoleum, add a few tablespoons of
kerosene. to the water, it will brighten
as well as cleanse. " v -.". ;•". ;; .■•■:
To provide against colors running
add ammonia ;to the water used In
washing matting.
To Clean Clothes
Mm. A. F. Gnrrolt, Petaluma
Black Silk — it thoroughly; lay
on table with the side intended to show
up; sponge with hot coffee ! strained
through muslin; when partly dry'lron.
Fruit Spot* From Cotton—Apply cold
soap, then touch the spot, with a hair
pancll or feather, dipped In chlorate of.
soda. : then dip immediately in cold
water.
. Grease ■ From Silk"— a lump of
magnesia, rub It; wet on .the spot, let
dry and then brush the powder off. .;•;
Mildew—Moisten the spot with clean
water, rub on It a thick coating of
castile soap mixe.l with :,chalk scrap
ings: rub with end "of. finger, then;
wash off. /. ' •. \ '
Paint Spots From Clothing;—
with equal parts turpentine and spirits
of ammonia.
:•', How to Wash at' Sweater
Mrs. Perer R. Galllaon, Sonera '
Put the sweater or shawl in a cheese
cloth bag and " sew the . ends of I the: bag
together. Have ; a tub; one-third i full \of
good suds, using good soap; wash In the
regular way, but ; do ' not. rub any . soap
on 'the garment. .: Rinse in ■ several
waters, .; and " the most ;' Important part
of all is the ; water; must be the same
.temperature for rinsing as for washing.
Press all of the water out and hang on
the line, fastening ' the corners of one
end of the bag to one line*and * those
' of the other.'to a second line; this pre
vents the ; garment [ from • getting 1 in; one
lump iin the'bag, • and taking longer :to
dry thoroughly. ..; If the v garment is very
thick and large Instead of hanging on
the line to dry, remove It. from the
bag and lay it ■-.flat on a 'sheet on the
grass or on a board.
Things to Know
Mm. George Gee, Maryavllle
To remove . oil , from white good*—
Place the article in : a basin, sprinkle
over the * ■tain ',"• powdered 5 borax, then <
pour boiling water over same. Let re
main i a few minutes, then take" out and I
; rinse and the article will be ; free of oil
■'■tain.'-I]".-.' ■'■■" • .'':, .'.:'_.".".::'"••. "'•;" -
To remove a tight Rlnas cork—Hold
neck of bottle over steam a few sec
' onds, then take - a dry^cloth;- and \ turn
and the. cork will slip easily. " ; \-f.
weighs very little ,and in no case does
it accumulate the amount of dust that
a full skirt does. But, on the other
hand, it limits its •wearer's gait and
freedom of motion. No one can very
well catch a train on the run in a
hobble skirt. Now, the pantaloon
skirt has', according to the fashion
critics, all the merits of the one and
none of the demerits of the other.
When the panels are in place, it does'
not look a bit different from any other
conventional and smart garment.
The harem skirt has been brought
to pass through the process of evolu
tion, as it is planned upon the oriental
costumes of the Turkish harems. In
stead of the full bloomer!)', however,
gathered at the ankle, the goods is so
subtly combined and shaped and so
gracefully arranged that it has all the
Spring Cleaning;
Miss Blanche F. Goffinet, Lnkevllle
Firstly remove all the. furniture pos
sible, covering what cannot be removed.
Give the ' room a thorough sweeping,
spread newspapers on thje floor, 'which
have. first.been' dipped in water, and
wring as dry as possible. This prevents
the f dust from settling on • the « carpet,
and leaves It bright and clean. Dust
the room thoroughly, washing all things
necessary.: White woodware ■ should be
washed with milk and dark; with tea.
Take equal , parts of - turpentine , and
olive oil and, apply, to the furniture
with a soft cloth; it will be surprisingly
bright" and " clean. Remove the - paper
from the floor as soon as dust Is settled,
return furniture,, and place in a neat
orderly; way. You . will have a
< room ; worth being'proud of. Be sure
■ that the blinds are drawn down evenly,
as that; often > times i tells: the , character
of a house keeper. Keep the room dark
when; not in use, ', thus preventing
articles from fading and becoming
■ dingy. ■
Things to Know
Mr«. W. D. Young, 470 Wadsirorth
■• Avrnuc, Oakland
To Clean Your White Kitchen Sfok—
First clean It well ' with pearllne or
some good ■ soap. Then sprinkle thick
ly with chloride of lime. ;- Leave a half
hour or '< longer and 'all' dlscolorations
will .be i removed,-leaving your,-:sink
• clean '. and > white. Turn \on ; the , fawcet
i and the ; lime will 'wash *on down ' into
your drains, purifying;them.
-Wheni you put your green peas on to
cook, add a small { piece of .: butter ; and
■ they t will never boll over, even with the
cover tightly, on. '
Kitchen Hints
Mn, F. W. Hoadler. Station L,, San
Francisco ' (
" A Good UM for Empty Mash Boxes—
:' Cover with 1 brown paper keep your
beans, rice, etc., in them; label.: These
make the (helves look neat. ''■■.
*■; ',; To i Clean Grease ', Spots f From s ; Men's
Salts-— results : are "■ obtained I by
placing r several " thicknesses of * news
papers -.under; the;spot,- then ' scrubbing
with a small. brush, -soap and water. ,
■ /^Always keep old newspapers near the
sink. They are > fine" for wiping out
■ greasy frying 1 pans or the bottoms of
■ blackened \ kettles before putting. in the
■ water."' •■-. ■ ;; /•;' -.}"';"
Homemade Linoleum y
1 Jam ] Kelly, Los Gatos :" ..
Take .worn.Brussels carpet and turn'
upside down, tack on floor. V Apply four
pounds of French ochre mixed with one
gallon lof boiling water,',* to which one
■ ounce of melted : glue has been f added.
■ Paint your ; carpet liberally with * this 1
■ mixture^to make a smooth surface. Ap
ply I the t mixture; hot with ; a -whitewash
, brush. This, dries quickly. Applied one
day, it will be ready the next to 1 receive
a coat of boiled linseed oil with a white
wash brush. Gunnysacks can :be used
; to take the place of carpet.
Home Made Ice Chest
Dorothy Axtell. 42« n Street, .San Rafael
; Take two good dry boxes, one of
which s Is ;i enough '^ smaller ; than > the
other to leave a space of about three
Inches ■ all i around > when it iis '■' placed
Inside. Fill : the space between the
two with sawdust* packed closely and
cover with a heavy lid made" to fit
neatly inside the larger box. Insert*; a
small, pipe ,in the bottom' of ' the i chest
to carry ' off the water, from \ the .'melt-
Ing ice.
appearance of the smartly hung con
ventional skirt. Should it be perma
nently adopted, the petticoat would be
doomed.
While so great a change has been
made in the skirts of the coming sea
son, no material difference is notice
able in the cut of the coats. They still
follow the prevailing lines, and the
short box style predominates.
San Francisco has not as yet time or
opportunity to either condemn or ap
prove. Whether the new arrival will
be received with open arms and warm
welcome is still to be determined.
By some it is considered an unpleas
antly mannish fad. one of the vagaries
that haunt each and every new season,
while by others it is declared to be
one more step toward the fcoal of sen
sible dress for women. At any rate,
it is here, to be accepted or declined
as miladi chooses, and. for the time
being, at least, is creating no end of
chatter over the afternoon tea cups.
Nightingale for Invalids
Miss J. Clark, 1358 Scott Street, San
Francisco
■■■ An excellent bed.-wrap may "be made
from a cot blanket of good Quality
measuring about one and three-fourths
yards long. No shaping whatever Is
required. The blanket Is used length
wise, the colored, border top and bot
tom mailing- a trimming for the sleeves
At about ten Inches from either side a
cut is made,through the colored border
fifteen inches deep, and the material be- 1
tween these two cuts is Joined no as to
form a sleeve, the inner sides of the
two cuts being Joined to each other:to
make :f an under arm seam; this being
done, all that remains Is to overcast the
selvages and ends of the blanket with
colored wool in buttonhole stitch and
sew j ribbon ;on 'to one selvage -: side
twenty Inches from each «nd, to tie the'
nightingale at the throat. Plain col
ored flannel may also be used if pre
terred. fTPHftdwfttSMMirißMtmt
■ ■ . . *■ ■ • ■ „;• V : .
■■■■'. ■ • '
Economy Hints V
Mr*. M. ; E. Hawkins, 916 Filbert Street,
Oakland
"When ironing with gas use a piece
of heavy tin large enough to cover two
burners. In •; this ; way you' can heat
your irons and :- cook your i dinner =at
the same ; time with one burner. ,
When going to cook beans, soak over
night in water. They will cook In
half the;time.
To keep fish, wash clean, dry with a
fresh - cloth and sprinkle with pepper
use no salt.
'; To • keep \ cooked starch from sticking
and' give£ cloths a ; good gloss ; use . a
small piece of parafflne.
Bits of Advice for the Wash
Lady '
, Mrs. L,. Kopp, Santa Rom
Clothespin Apron—Take a towel one
yard long, 1 fold back a third : its length,
stitch the sides and through the center
for pockets, sew, on a band and strings.
Clot bos Sprinkler—Take an empty
baking powder can and make a number
of very fine holes in. the top. Fill with
water, i Try this for sprinkling clothes.
:iSoft Hands—Wet \ the hands in vine
gar; after washing. Let it dry; on and
they will keep soft and white. ,
Washing Blankets—After washing
the blankets.' and : when, they /are thor
oughly dry, beat with a carpet beater
and they will look like new.
Kitchen Wisdom
Mrs. A. 1.. Adams, lone
Sour * milk ran be whipped by
sweetening. with soda.
If sour milk is needed and none is
obtainable, warml sweet .< milk, but do
not* scald, and; add one teaspoon of
vinegar. '.'.
.If soup Is too salty, add one teaspoon
of t sugar • dissolved In one '■- tablespoon
of vinegar. " :
.Use a good pinch of granulated sugar
on the hands when covered ,with soap
[suds", to soften and whiten them. "
Things to Know
Miss Sadie Levy,- 101 • Gates Street, San
■ Francisco '*■
If a nail "or. two ; is;; dropped into a
vase of water holding flowers, the water.
: will i keep fresh, much ; longer.
..'•Cheesecloth makes the best dishcloth.
It" is soft-and sanitary, as f a little'hot
water and soap sends the grease out of
: the fibers easily; '.. ., , V ' _".'■; >
A After darning ; stockings press the
darned spot, with a hot iron and; it will
be much softer.
: To darken tan shoes clean them with
ammonia and mill*. :SHB^ffi€i: .