Care of Books.—Have book shelves rather deep, and bring the books out to the front edge of the shelf rather than crowd them back against the wall. They look better, may be dusted more easily, and where the walls are damp are not so likely to get moldy. Tip the books gently forward and dust the tops each day; occasionally take them down, two or three at a time, and carefully dust them and the shelf behind them. Commence, of course, with the top shelf. Note when dusting any indication of mold and take steps to remove and prevent it.
Books — To Prevent Mold. — Spray the books and shelves, by means of an atomizer having a fine spray, with oil of lavender, pennyroyal, or any of the perfumed asential oils. Oil of cedar was used by the ancients to preserve their valuable manuscripts. Add a few drops of any essential oil to li brary paste, ink, or any similar sub stance, to prevent mold, and apply the same to leather bindings by means of an atomizer or soft cloth or brush.
Insect Pests of Books.—The prin cipal insect pests in a library are the ordinary cockroach and the silver fish, silver louse, silver witch, sugar fish, or whatever it may be locally called, as it goes under a number of different names. This is a small silvery shining worm or moth which is seen when books and papers that have remained undisturbed for some time are moved. It shuns the light and runs very rap idly to a place of concealment, so it is not often seen. But the effects of its ravages are very apparent. It loves starch, and feeds on the starch used in the bindings of books, and also eats away the surface of heavily glazed paper to feed upon the sizing. It eats also starched clothing, linen, and curtains, and may do damage to any fabric in which starch has been used as a size.
To destroy the silver fish, cover bits of cardboard with boiled starch paste poisoned with arsenic and lay them on book shelves, behind mantels, under washbowls, in the bottom of drawers, etc. But, of course, take care that this paste is not within reach of chil dren or household pets.
Or dust bookshelves liberally with common Persian insect powder of pyrethrum. A poison for roaches will be found elsewhere.
Oil or Grease on Books.—To re move oil or grease spots from books or paper, sprinkle the spot thickly with a little powdered pipe clay, full er's earth, or prepared chalk; lay over this a sheet of brown paper and ap ply a hot iron, but not hot enough to scorch the sheet. If the powder sticks
to the paper, rub it off gently with a soft eraser.
Or warm the parts and take up as much of the grease as possible with fine blotting paper. Apply to the spot hot spirits of turpentine or sulphurous ether with a soft, clean brush or rag. Let dry and moisten with alcohol. This will kill the grease without dis coloring the paper. Repeat if neces sary.
Or mix equal parts of finely pow dered burnt alum and sulphur. Wet the paper slightly and sprinkle with this powder until the spots disappear. But remember that fine glazed or coated paper must not be wet.
Ink Stains.—To remove ink stains from paper or the leaves of books, first test to find the nature of the ink by moistening with water, and taking up as much as possible on clean blot ting paper. If the stain is that of iron-gall or logwood ink apply spirits of salts diluted with five or six parts of water, and rinse in clear water as soon as the ink disappears.
Or use a saturated solution of ox alic, citric, or tartaric acid or salts of lemon. None of these will affect printer's ink. Apply with a camel's hair brush or soft cloth. Rinse with clear water and dry between blotters by means of a warm smoothing iron.
Or apply alternately by means of a camel's-hair brush first a solution of oxalic acid and then cyanide of potas sium until the ink is removed.
Or, if the ink contains nigrosine, eosin, or other coal-tar products, wet chloride of lime with water until it melts slightly, moisten a soft cloth with this and touch the spot gently until the ink mark disappears. Rinse with clear water containing a few drops of aqua ammonia. Repeat if necessary.
Ink Eraser.—Have at hand tartaric acid in large crystals. Rub off the sharp corners of the crystals and moisten slightly in water. Rub the ink mark with this. Repeat if neces sary. When the ink has disappeared apply dry blotting paper, and the spot may be written over at once.
Or dissolve four ounces of chloride of lime in one quart of water and strain through cheese cloth. Dissolve separately one ounce of acetic acid in ten ounces of water. Apply first the chloride of lime and afterwards the acid solution by dipping the blunt end of the penholder in it and letting a drop fall on the spot, by moistening the cork, or otherwise. Do not rub the paper when it is moist. Apply blotting paper as soon as the ink disappears.