into
the condition of active boiling, warm the thermometer gradually in the
steam and then plunge it into the water. If it indicates a fixed
temperature of two hundred and twelve degrees, the instrument is a good
one.

Indelible Ink.--An indelible ink that cannot be erased, even with acids,
can be obtained from the following recipe: To good gall ink add a strong
solution of Prussian blue dissolved in distilled water. This will form a
writing fluid which cannot be erased without destruction of the paper.
The ink will write greenish blue, but afterward will turn black.

To Get a Broken Cork Out of a Bottle.--If, in drawing a cork, it breaks,
and the lower part falls down into the liquid, tie a long loop in a bit
of twine, or small cord, and put it in, holding the bottle so as to
bring the piece of cork near to the lower part of the neck. Catch it in
the loop, so as to hold it stationary. You can then easily extract it
with a corkscrew.

A Wash for Cleaning Silver.--Mix together half an ounce of fine salt,
half an ounce of powdered alum, and half an ounce of cream of tartar.
Put them into a large white-ware pitcher, and pour on two ounces of
water, and stir them frequently, till entirely dissolved. Then transfer
the mixture to clean bottles and cork them closely. Before using it,
shake the bottles well. Pour some of the liquid into a bowl, and wash
the silver all over with it, using an old, soft, fine linen cloth. Let
it stand about ten minutes, and then rub it dry with a buckskin. It will
make the silver look like new.

To Remove the Odor from a Vial.--The odor of its last contents may be
removed from a vial by filling it with cold water, and letting it stand
in any airy place uncorked for three days, changing the water every day.

To Loosen a Glass Stopper.--The manner in which apothecaries loosen
glass stoppers when there is difficulty in getting them out is to press
the thumb of the right hand very hard against the lower part of the
stopper, and then give the stopper a twist the other way, with the thumb
and forefinger of the left hand, keeping the bottle stiff in a steady
position.

To Soften Boots and Shoes.--Kerosene will soften boots and shoes which
have been hardened by water, and render them as pliable as new.

To Remove Stains, Spots, and Mildew from Furniture.--Take half a pint of
ninety-eight per cent alcohol, a quarter of an ounce each of pulverized
resin and gum shellac, add half a pint of linseed o