J.

MINNIE WALSHAM writes, in answer to FLORENCE WATERS' question, that
to clean crewel-work it should be washed in soap-suds, then rinsed
out in salt and water, and, after drying it quickly, it should be
smoothed out on the wrong side of the work. Answers also received
from T. X. Z., MARY WILTSHIRE, and A. J.

COOKERY.

MATTY would like to know the way to make Madeira cake.

LADY OF THE LAKE asks how to make pine-apple cushions.

GENERAL.

A TABBY KITTEN will be glad if any reader could tell her of a good,
inexpensive varnish for a picture-screen, as the one she is now using
colours the pictures, and makes the printing on the backs of thin
ones shine through.

ETHEL wants to know a new kind of dip, or bran-pie.

J. F. H. writes to inform HERBERT MASTERS, in reply to his inquiry,
that a small carpenter's bench would cost about twenty shillings or a
little more.

ANOTHER YOUNG MECHANIC writes, in answer to AN AMATEUR MECHANIC'S
question, that walnut, oak, and sandal are among the best woods for
fretwork purposes. The fret-saws may be bought in packets at an
ironmonger's. Answers also received from J. A. WACE, A YOUNG
CARPENTER, and X. Y. Z.

NATURAL HISTORY.

P. F wishes to know if anything can be done for her little kitten? In
the last few weeks her head has become quite bare, and she has lost a
lot of hair from her shoulders; she is very lively, but does not
drink her milk properly?--[She is probably kept indoors too much. Put
a little sulphur in her milk about twice a week, and rub the places
with vaseline. Let her run out where she can bite grass or plants if
she wants to, and give her a little meat.]

HELEN wishes to know if she ought to give her canary a bath in
winter, and if so ought it to be cold or warm.--[Offer the bath, and
let it do as it likes. The water should be about 60 deg.]

LADY CARA will be very glad to know what can be given to her parrot
when it pulls its feathers off. The bird in question is now quite
bare, and has been so for some time past, although well in
health.--[We fear you have been giving him meat, or too much of
_rich_ nuts and biscuits. Parrots should have no meat, and plain
food. Get him some scraped cuttle-fish bone, if he will eat it, and
rub on a little vaseline, and on a bright day get him to bathe. Give
him now and then a fig, and some ripe fruit, only begin very
gradually.]

A NEW "'LITTLE FOLKS' PAINTING BOOK" COMPETITION.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE.

T