eather Paste.--Cover four parts, by weight, of glue, with
fifteen parts of cold water, and allow it to soak for several hours,
then warm moderately till the solution is perfectly clear, and dilute
with sixty parts of boiling water, intimately stirred in. Next prepare a
solution of thirty parts of starch in two hundred parts of cold water,
so as to form a thin homogeneous liquid, free from lumps, and pour the
boiling glue solution into it with thorough stirring, and at the same
time keep the mass boiling.

Commercial Mucilage.--The best quality of mucilage in the market is made
by dissolving clear glue in equal volumes of water and strong vinegar,
and adding one-fourth of an equal volume of alcohol, and a small
quantity of a solution of alum in water. Some of the cheaper
preparations offered for sale are merely boiled starch or flour, mixed
with nitric acid to prevent their gelatinizing.

Acid-Proof Paste.--A paste formed by mixing powdered glass with a
concentrated solution of silicate of soda makes an excellent acid-proof
cement.

Paste to Fasten Cloth to Wood.--Take a plump pound of wheat flour, one
tablespoonful of powdered resin, one tablespoonful of finely powdered
alum, and rub the mixture in a suitable vessel, with water, to a
uniform, smooth paste; transfer this to a small kettle over a fire, and
stir until the paste is perfectly homogeneous without lumps. As soon as
the mass has become so stiff that the stirrer remains upright in it,
transfer it to another vessel and cover it up so that no skin may form
on its surface. This paste is applied in a very thin layer to the
surface of the table; the cloth, or leather, is then laid and pressed
upon it, and smoothed with a roller. The ends are cut off after drying.
If leather is to be fastened on, this must first be moistened with
water. The paste is then applied, and the leather rubbed smooth with a
cloth.

Paste for Printing Office.--Take two gallons of cold water and one quart
wheat flour, rub out all the lumps, then add one-fourth pound of finely
pulverized alum and boil the mixture for ten minutes, or until a thick
consistency is reached. Now add one quart of hot water and, boil again,
until the paste becomes a pale brown color, and thick. The paste should
be well stirred during both processes of cooking. Paste thus made will
keep sweet for two weeks and prove very adhesive.

To Take Smoke Stains from Walls.--An easy and sure way to remove smoke
stains from