erwards well washed in clean water, and
dried upon nets, the meshes of which may be about the fineness of
cabbage nets. The feathers must be from time to time shaken on the
nets, and, as they get dry, they will fall through the meshes, and
must be collected for use. The admission of air will be serviceable in
drying. The process will be completed in three weeks. When thus
prepared, the feathers need only be beaten to get rid of the dust.

2725. To Clean White Ostrich Feathers.

Four ounces of white soap, cut small, dissolved in four pints of
water, rather hot, in a large basin; make the solution into a lather,
by beating it with birch rods, or wires. Introduce the feathers, and
rub well with the hands for five or six minutes. After this soaping,
wash in clean water, as hot as the hand can bear. Shake until dry.

2726. Cleaning Straw Bonnets.

They may be washed with soap and water, rinsed in clear water, and
dried in the air. Then wash them over with white of egg well beaten,
Remove the wire before washing. Old straw bonnets may be picked to
pieces, and put together for children, the head parts being cut out.

2727. To Bleach a Faded Dress.

Wash it well in hot suds, and boil it until the colour seems to be
gone, then wash, and rinse, and dry it in the sun; if still not quite
white, repeat the boiling.

2728. Bleaching Straw Bonnets, &c.

Wash them in pure water, scrubbing them with a brush. Then put them
into a box in which has been set a saucer of burning sulphur. Cover
them up, so that the fumes may bleach them.

2729. Clothes Balls.

Take some fullers' earth, dried till it crumbles to powder: moisten it
with the juice of lemon, add a small quantity of pearlash, work and
knead carefully together till it forms a thick paste; make into balls,
and dry them in the sun. Moisten the spot on clothes with water, then
rub it with the ball. Wash out the spot with pure water.

[O HEART! BUT TRY IT ONCE;--'TIS EASY TO BE...]

2730. To Wash China Crepe Scarves, &c.

If the fabric be good, these articles of dress can be washed as
frequently as may be required, and no diminution of their beauty will
be discoverable, even when the various shades of green have been
employed among other colours in the patterns. In cleaning them, make a
strong lather of boiling water; suffer it to cool; when cold or nearly
so, wash the s