Break 1/2 cake (which is about 1 ounce) of white wax into an earthen pan, and just cover it with oil of turpentine; place a board over the pan to keep out the air; let it stand for 24 hours or until formed into a paste; then in another pan, mix 1 lb. of best ivory black with neatsfoot oil, until it assumes a thick consistency; then mix the contents of both pans together.  It may be reduced with spirits of turpentine.  Bottle, and it is fit for use.

116.  Oil paste blacking

Take oil vitriol, 2 ozs., tanners oil, 5 ozs., ivory black, 2 lbs., molasses, 5 ozs; mix the oil and vitriol together, let it stand a day, then add the ivory black, the molasses, and the white of an egg; mix well, and it is ready for use.

117.  Water proof oil or paste blacking

Take 1 pint of camphene, and put into it all the india rubber it will dissolve, 1 pint currier’s oil, 7 lbs. tallow, and 2 ozs. of lampblack; mix thoroughly by heat.  This is a nice thing for old harness and carriage tops, as well as for boots and shoes.

118.  Best varnish blacking extant

Take of alcohol, 1 gallon; white turpentine, 1-1/2 lbs.; gum shellac 1-1/2 lbs.; venice turpentine, 1 gill; let these stand in a jug in the sun, or by a stove, until the gums are dissolved; then add sweet oil, 1 gill; lampblack, 2 oz., and you have a varnish that will not crack when the harness is twisted like the old shellac varnish.  It is good also for boots and shoes, looking well, and turns water.

119.  Asphaltum or walnut stain

Take of asphaltum, 2 lbs.; boiled linseed oil, 1/2 pint; spirits of turpentine, 1 gallon; mix the two first in an iron pot, boil slowly until the asphaltum is melted, then take it some distance from the fire, cool a little, and add the turpentine (avoiding ignition) before it cools too much, and it is finished.

120.  Polish for old furniture

Take 1 pint best spirits of wine, 1 pint raw linseed oil, 1 pint spirits of turpentine; mix all three together, and shake well before use.  Apply with a rubber of cotton wool covered with a piece of clean old white cotton cloth.  Apply slightly and you will be astonished at the effect.  Old furniture that is scratched, soiled, or stained, if the wood is not torn up, being polished with this, has the appearance of new.

121.  Oil to make the hair grow and Curl

Take of olive oil 1/2 a pint, oils of rosemary and origanum, of each 1/8 of an oz.  Mix well and apply rather freely.

122.  Best shaving soap

Take 4-1/2 lbs. white bar soap, 1 quart rain water, 1 gill of beef’s gall, and 1 gill spirits of turpentine; cut the soap thin, and boil five minutes, stir while boiling, and colour with 1/2 oz. of vermillion; scent with oil of rose or almonds. 10 cents worth will positively make $6 worth of soap.