Foot Warmer. — When driving or sleighriding in winter, fill a sirup can having a screw top with hot water. This will keep warm for a long time. It may be used in place of a hot water bottle.
Or make a square box of pine, 6 or 8 inches deep and large enough to just fit about the base of an ordinary lantern. Leave this open at the top, and have the bottom broad enough so that the box will not readily tip over. Bore a few holes near the bottom of the box to admit the air, and when driving in winter set a lantern in the box and let it stand on the carriage or sleigh bottom under the robes at the driver's feet. If these suggestions are observed the lantern will burn with a clear, steady flame, without smoking, will not tip over or soil robes or garments, and will keep the driver comfortable in freezing weather.
To Improve Kerosene Oil.—Put a teaspoonful of common salt in an or dinary hand lamp, and a tablespoon ful in a large lamp with a B burner. This gives a more brilliant light, and tends to prevent smoking, and hence to keep the wicks and chimneys clean.
Chinese Lanterns. — When using these lanterns for holiday occasions, put a few handfuls of sand in the bottom of the paper lantern about the candle. This keeps them from sway
ing, and also tends to prevent them from taking fire.
Vest-pocket Light.—Put a piece of phosphorus in a 1- or 2-ounce glass vial and fill with olive oil. Cork tightly. When the oil is heated by the warmth of the body or otherwise, the phosphorus will emit light enough to read the time on the dial of a watch in the darkest night. Should the vial become broken do not touch the phosphorus with the fingers, as it will eat the flesh and produce an ulcer.
Take it up between two sticks or otherwise and drop it into water. To give good results it must be kept from the air.
Bonfires.—To make brilliant bonfires and signal fires, mix 8 pounds of salt peter, 4 pounds of flower of sulphur, 1 pound of antimony, and pound of camphor. Powder these ingredients, mix and tamp them into an iron socket. When ignited, they will burn for some time with great brilliancy.
Light in Dark Well or Cistern.— Light may be reflected down a well or other deep, dark recess by means of a looking-glass.