When a carpet is faded, I have been told that it may be restored, in
a great measure, (provided there be no grease in it,) by being dipped
into strong salt and water. I never tried this; but I know that silk
pocket handkerchiefs, and deep blue factory cotton will not fade, if
dipped in salt and water while new.

An ox's gall will set any color,--silk, cotton, or woollen. I have
seen the colors of calico, which faded at one washing, fixed by it.
Where one lives near a slaughterhouse, it is worth while to buy cheap,
fading goods, and set them in this way. The gall can be bought for a
few cents. Get out all the liquid, and cork it up in a large phial.
One large spoonful of this in a gallon of warm water is sufficient.
This is likewise excellent for taking out spots from bombazine,
bombazet, &c. After being washed in this, they look about as well as
when new. It must be thoroughly stirred into the water, and not put
upon the cloth. It is used without soap. After being washed in this,
cloth which you want to _clean_ should be washed in warm suds, without
using soap.

Tortoise shell and horn combs last much longer for having oil rubbed
into them once in a while.

Indian meal and rye meal are in danger of fermenting in summer;
particularly Indian. They should be kept in a cool place, and stirred
open to the air, once in a while. A large stone, put in the middle of
a barrel of meal, is a good thing to keep it cool.

The covering of oil-flasks, sewed together with strong thread, and
lined and bound neatly, makes useful tablemats.