Or tack wire or cloth screen to the outer frame of the window, to cover either the lower sash or the entire frame.
Or this may be done from the in side by tacking at the side first, then all around, and facing below.
Or, if the outside shutters are no longer in good repair, they may be converted into frames for screens. Cut out the shutters from the frames and replace with wire screen cloth. These are very convenient, as they cover the whole window, and when it is being washed, or it is otherwise desirable, the screens can be opened out of the way. In winter time they can be taken from the hinges and by varnish ing the wire to prevent rust they can be preserved from year to year.
To Mend Screens.—To mend a wire window or door screen that has not become too rusty to work with, take a square piece large enough to reach firm wire on all sides of the damaged part. Ravel the edges of the patch, taking off two or more wires on each side to leave a fringe .a quarter of an inch or more in width all around. Then, with the flat side of a pair of pincers, bend this fringe down at right angles. Place the patch in posi tion and push the bent fringe through. Bend the fringe in toward the center, and place it in firmly by putting a small board against it and hammering it gently on the other side. The patch will hold, and flies cannot crawl un der its edges.
Preventives Against Flies. — Flies are said to abhor sweet clover. Place in bags made of mosquito netting and hang them about the room.
Or sprinkle about the room oil of sassafras or oil of laurel. The latter has been used by the butchers of Geneva from time immemorial.
Or use oil of lavender or lavender buds.
Or soak houseleeks for five or six days in water, and wash pictures, fur niture, and woodwork with the de coction.
Or boil onions in a quantity of water and wash picture frames, mold ings, and delicate woodwork, using a soft cloth or a brush.
To prevent flies from settling on windows, wash them in water contain ing kerosene and wipe with a rag moistened in kerosene.
To Make Poisonous Fly Paper.—To make poisonous fly paper, dissolve 6 drams of chloride of cobalt and 2 ounces of brown sugar in 1 pint of boiling water. Saturate blotting paper with this solution and put a small square of the paper in a saucer of water, or use the solution itself, but remember that it is a deadly poison.
Or mix 1 teaspoonful of laudanum and teaspoonful of brown sugar with 2 tablespoonfuls of water. Ex pose in saucers. Keep away from children and pets.
Or boil ounce of quassia tips in 1 quart of water, and add 8 ounces of molasses or brown sugar.
Or dissolve 2 drams of mastic of quassia in pint of water, and add 2 tablespoonfuls of molasses or brown sugar.
Or make strong green tea and sweeten with sugar.
Or mix teaspoonful of black pep per and 1 teaspoonful of sugar with 9 tablespoonfuls of cream.
Or mix 1 tablespoonful of black pepper, 1 tablespoonful of molasses or brown sugar, and the yolk of 1 egg. Beat to a paste. Flies will eat freely any of the above if exposed where they congregate, and will be killed by them.
To Make Sticky Fly Paper.—Melt pound of rosin, and dilute to the consistency of molasses with 4 ounces or more of sweet oil or lard oil. Spread this with a brush on two or more sheets of manila wrapping paper, leaving an inch or more margin all around. Place the sticky surfaces of each pair of sheets together, and when wanted pull them apart. This is also a useful preventive against ants and other insects.