655. To Clean Ostrich Feathers

655.       To Clean Ostrich Feathers. Cut some white curd soap in small pieces, pour boiling water on them, and add a little pearlash. When the soap is quite dissolved, and the mixture cool enough for the hand to bear, plunge the feathers into it, draw the feathers through the hand till the dirt appears squeezed out of them, pass them through a clean lather with some blue in it, then rinse in cold water with blue to give them a good color. Beat them against the hand to shake off the water, and dry by shaking them near a fire. When perfectly dry, curl each fibre separately with a blunt knife or ivory paper-folder.

656. To Clean Grebe

656.    To Clean Grebe. Carefully take out the lining, and wash it in the same way as directed for the ostrich feathers. They must not be shaken until quite dry, and any rent in the skin must be repaired before making up again.

657. To Clean Swansdown

657.     To Clean Swansdown. White swansdown may be washed in soap and water; after washing, shake it out, and when the down is somewhat raised, shake it before a clear fire to dry.

658. To Curl Feathers

658.    To Curl Feathers. Heat them slightly before the fire, then stroke them with the back of a knife, and they will curl.

659. To Cleanse Feathers from Animal Oil

659.    To Cleanse Feathers from Animal Oil. Mix well with 1 gallon clear water, 1 pound quicklime; and, when the lime is precipitated in fine powder, pour off the clear lime-water for use. Put the feathers to be cleaned in a tub, and add to them a sufficient quantity of the clear lime-water to cover them about 3 inches. The feathers, when thoroughly moistened, will sink down, and should remain in the lime-water for 3 or 4 days; after which, the foul liquor should be separated.

660. To Deodorize Skunk Skins

660.      To Deodorize Skunk Skins, or articles of clothing scented, hold them over a fire of red cedar boughs, and sprinkle with chloride of lime; or, wrap them in green hemlock boughs, when they are to be had, and in 24 hours they will be deodorized.

661. To Stiffen Bristles

661.     To Stiffen Bristles. These are usually stiffened by immersing for a short time in cold alum water.

662. To Dye Bristles

662.     To Dye Bristles. Bristles are dyed by steeping them for a short time in any of the common dyes used for cotton or wool.