ing causes them to shrink and harden. When nearly dry, press on the
wrong side with a moderately hot iron. The rinsing water may be used
for the first cotton wash. If both colored and white flannels are to
be washed, the former should be done first, thus avoiding the lint
washed from the latter. Drying can be accelerated by pressing
repeatedly between soft cloths. If the ordinary washing fails to
remove any of the spots, spread on a smooth board and rub with a soft,
wet, soapy brush.

WASHING THE WHITE CLOTHES

Next comes the washing of the table linen, then the body linen, and
then the bed linen, the process for each being the same, though the
table linen requires the least rubbing. Wash in hot water in which the
hand can be comfortably borne, soaping each piece well before it is
rubbed, and paying particular attention to the hems of the sheets; drop
into a second tub of clear, hot water, rinse, and wring into a boiler
about half filled with cold water to which has been added one
tablespoon of kerosene and sufficient soap chips to produce a good
suds. Bring the water to a boil and boil ten minutes, stirring
occasionally with the clothes stick, Too long boiling yellows the
clothes, and crowding the boiler is to be avoided. From the boiler the
clothes are lifted to a tub of clear, cold water, thoroughly rinsed,
transferred to the tub of bluing water where they are well and evenly
saturated, wrung out, and those which are not to be starched hung on
the line where sun and breeze are most active. The bluing must be
thoroughly mixed with the water. Clothes which have been carefully
washed and rinsed need but little bluing. Hang sheets and tablecloths
out straight and stretch the selvages even. Pillowcases should be hung
by the seam opposite the hem.

STARCH

Prepare the starch by dissolving one half cup of starch in cold water,
pour on this one quart of boiling water, and boil till clear and white,
stirring constantly. When nearly ready to take from the stove add a
little borax, lard, butter, or white wax. A teaspoonful of granulated
sugar is believed by many to be the most desirable addition. This will
be of the right consistency for ordinary articles--skirts, aprons, etc.
The same degree of strength in starch will not suit all kinds of
fabrics, collars, cuffs, etc., requiring the stronger solution made by
doubling the amount of starch; thin lawns and other fine materials the
weaker produced by d