To extract the essence of any flowers,
place them in a layer on the bottom of a clean earthen pot, and
cover them with a layer of fine salt. Repeat this until the pot is
filled with the flowers and salt in alternate layers; then cover
closely and set in a cellar for 40 days; then strain the essence
from the whole through a crepe by pressure. Put the essence thus
expressed into a clean bottle and expose for six weeks to the rays
of the sun, to purify. One drop of it will strongly scent a pint of
water.
Bucklen’s Almanac 1907
Charcoal For Flowers
It is an ascertained fact that powdered
charcoal, placed around rose bushes and other flowers, has the
effect of adding much to their richness.
The Successful Housekeeper, Circa
1880
To Preserve Natural Flowers
Dip the flowers in melted paraffin,
withdrawing them quickly. The liquid should be only just hot enough
to maintain its fluidity, and the flowers should be dipped one at a
time, held by the stalks and moved about for an instant to get rid
of air bubbles. Fresh cut flowers, free from moisture, make
excellent specimens in this way.
The Successful Housekeeper, Circa
1880
Putting Away Woolen Clothes
Great care must be exercised in putting
away winter clothes. Clean paper sacks, or old cotton or linen
pillow cases, will do to hold them, providing there are no holes in
them. Take the garments that are to be laid away out doors on a
summer day, let them hang on a line for several hours, brush and
beat all the dust out, then put into the bags; tie them up so that
no moth can get in, then lay them on clean, dry shelves, or hang
them up.
