217.  To Air Pillows.—­To air pillows, rip the corner of the ticking an inch or more.  Insert a piece of rubber hose pipe a few inches long, first covering the exposed end of the tube with strong netting.  Sew the ticking firmly to it and then hang all day on the line, in the air punching and shaking many times during the day.  They will be light and fluffy besides being thoroughly aired and sweet and clean.

218.  Uses for Pea-Pods.—­Never throw away pea-pods; they give a delicious flavor to the puree for the next day.

219.  To Remove the Skins of Tomatoes Quickly.—­To remove the skins of tomatoes quickly, put them into a wire basket and sink it quickly into a kettle of hot water.  Do not let the tomatoes stand in the water long enough to heat through, and plunge into cold water immediately from the hot.  Another way is to rub the skins backward with the blunt edge of a knife.  In this way the tomato does not need scalding, and according to epicures is more tasty.

220.  Dyeing at Home.—­In dyeing at home amateurs often make the mistake of putting the dyed article through the wringer, possibly to avoid staining the hands for one reason, or perhaps hoping to dry the garment more quickly.  This however, should never be done, for the creases so formed are most obstinate and in fact, often only disappear with wear, despite all pressing.  Dyed articles should be squeezed and hung out of doors to dry.

[Miscellaneous recipes 879]

221.—­To Save Children’s Shoes.—­To save children’s shoes wash them occasionally to remove the dirt and old polish, and soften them with oil.  When any part of the sole becomes badly worn, it should be mended at once, for usually a shoe will wear out at one point more quickly than elsewhere, and by paying ten or fifteen cents to have that part mended it saves dollars in time.  Gunmetal shoes are preferable for everyday wear, for such shoes are lusterless and can be cleaned with oils instead of polish, which is destructive to the best leather, even when sparingly used.

222.  A Systematic Housewife.—­It is a handy plan for the business woman or the housewife who has much domestic accounting to do to keep two calendars, one to tear off day by day, the other to refer back to past dates when necessary.  The reference calendar which can be very small and inconspicuous should have its special hook on the desk or table.

223.  To Keep Candles in Warm Weather.—­Keep your candles in the ice box this warm weather.  They will remain beautifully upright through a whole evening’s use, if they are hardened first in this way.

224.  Tea Towels.—­Keep the tea towels in sight, then have them fresh, clean, and whole, and hang them on a long metal curtain pole, in a convenient place, say back of the sink.  This is better than placing the towels on a nail against the wall as is usually done, and it permits them to dry out quickly.