to the
flannel, leaving a perfect network. Dry off gradually and clean the
specimen with a soft hair pencil. Place between folds of soft blotting
paper, and when perfectly dry place in your collection.

TO BLEACH THE LEAVES,

dissolve one half pound of chloride of lime in three pints of rain
water, strain, and use one part of the solution to one of water. For
ferns, use the solution full strength. When perfectly white remove to
clear water, let stand for several hours, changing water two or three
times, float out on paper, and press between blotting paper in books.

In mounting use mucilage made of five parts gum arabic, three parts
white sugar, two parts starch, and very little water; boil and stir
till thick and white.

HANGING BASKETS.

A correspondent of the _Gardener's Monthly_ tells of a new style of
hanging basket made of round maple sticks about one inch in diameter,
eight inches in length at the bottom, increasing to fourteen at the
top. In constructing, begin at the bottom and build up, log-cabin
fashion; chink the openings with green moss and line the whole basket
with the same. These are easily kept moist, and the plants droop and
twine over them very gracefully. A good way to keep the earth moist in
a hanging basket without the trouble of taking it down is to fill a
bottle with water and put in two pieces of yarn, leaving one end
outside. Suspend the bottle just above the basket and allow the water
to drip. This will keep the earth moist enough for winter and save a
great deal of time and labor. Plant morning glory seeds in hanging
baskets in winter; they grow rapidly and are very pretty.--_Buckeye._

CHAPTER XV.

THE LAUNDRY.

TELLING OF A GREAT MANY USEFUL AND LABOR-SAVING
PRACTICES FOR THE LAUNDRY.

TO MAKE WASHING FLUID.

Bring to a boil one pound of sal soda, half a pound of unslaked lime,
a small lump of borax, and five quarts of water. Let cool, pour off,
and bottle. Use one teacupful to a boiler of clothes. This is
superior.

GALL SOAP.

For washing woolens, silks, or fine prints liable to fade. One pint
beefs gall, two pounds common bar soap cut fine, one quart boiling
soft water; boil slowly, stirring occasionally until well mixed. Pour
into a flat vessel, and when cold cut