248.  To Prevent Chairs Marring the Floor.—­One should have all rockers covered with half rounds of rubber to prevent the scratching of the porch floor.  These rocker tires are procurable at any furniture establishment and are easily adjusted.

249.  Summer Homes.—­Some of the wealthiest women are furnishing their summer homes with rag rugs, instead of the handsome oriental floor coverings, that are a mark of luxury; and what seems odd to those who cannot afford to please each whim, the rooms are being repapered with simple sprigged effects and all evidences of up-to-dateness are being eliminated, to be in keeping with these copies of the colonial rag carpets.

[882 Mothers’ remedies]

250.  To Destroy Flies.—­Flies will get into the house during the summer in spite of the greatest care.  One method of catching and killing them, without having disagreeable looking fly paper lying around is to prepare a mixture of cream, sugar and pepper.  Put this on a plate and they will eat greedily of it and die.  They will instantly seek the open air and it is easy to brush them from the screen doors.  This is an old method and a good one.

251.  Successful Fern Growing.—­A woman who has had her refrigerator placed on the porch has a long drain pipe to carry off the melted ice, and this is made to flow right into a large bed of ferns.  The cold water in no way destroys the plants, in fact, they can endure the coldest water, and last year her ferns grew to an enormous size all due to the daily supply of water from the refrigerator.

252.  Faded Crepe.—­Faded crepe can be dipped into a solution of water and indigo, the water made very dark with blueing for the purpose.  Dissolve in one quart of water, a teaspoonful of sugar.  Lift the crepe out, and shake it and pin it to the bed to dry.  As it can not be ironed pin it carefully over soft muslin with needles.

253.  Sweeping as a Beautifier.—­The average woman who does her own housework gets exercise enough, only it is not under the best conditions, for the air, as a rule, is not sufficiently fresh.  If she wants to be benefited physically, while putting her house in order, let her make it like outdoors, with the windows wide open so the fresh air can sweep through the rooms.  If necessary she can wear a jacket while making beds and sweeping, and by the time her work is done she is bound to be in a healthy glow.  If she does not do housework she must go outdoors, and walk, and indeed, a little walking is desirable even for the housekeeper.

254.  Putting Screens Away.—­If screens were carefully put away last fall there should be little difficulty in getting them in place on the first hot fly-breeding day.  The wise housekeeper writes on the top of her screen, where it is hidden from view by the upper sash, the room and window where it belongs.  She also covers the wires with a coating of vaselin and stores them in a dry place with a cover thrown over them.  Should the wire have become shabby and rusty looking it can be freshened up with a coat of paint.  If the wires have gone into holes and are badly bulged, replace with copper wire netting.  It costs more than the ordinary kind, but does not wear out nearly so soon.