BLACK DYE FOR WOODS, VENEERS, ETC.—Steep the wood for two or three days, in water, if possible, keeping it warm all the time, the water having had a little alum dissolved in it so that it tastes rough; then put a handful of logwood, cut small, into a pint of water and boil it down to less than half a pint; if a little indigo is added the colour will be more beautiful. Spread a layer of this liquor quite hot on the wood with a brush, which will give it a violet colour. When dry spread on another layer, dry it again and give it a third, then boil verdigris at discretion in vinegar, and spread a layer of it on the wood; when it is dry, rub with a brush, and then with oiled chamois skin. This forms a good imitation of ebony wood.—W. C. HINTS ON SCRUBBING FLOORS.—After the white-washing, paint-cleaning, and window-washing of each room has been completed, let the floor be scrubbed; first seeing that it has been well swept. For this purpose have a small tub or bucket of warm water: an old saucer to hold a piece of brown soap, a large thick tow-linen floor-cloth, and a long-handled scrubbing-brush. Dip the whole of the floor-cloth into the water, and with it wet a portion of the floor. Next, rub some soap on the bristles of the brush, and scrub hard all over the wet place. Then dip your cloth into the water, and with it wash the suds off the floor. Wring the cloth, wet it again, and wipe the floor with it a second time. Lastly, wash the cloth about in the water, wring it as dry as possible, and give the floor a last and hard wiping with it. Afterwards go on to the next part of the floor, wet it, scrub it, wipe it three times, and proceed in the same manner, a piece, at a time, till you have gone over the whole; changing the dirty water for clean, whenever you find it necessary. For a large room, fresh warm water will be required four or five times in the course of the scrubbing. When the floor has been scrubbed, leave the sashes raised while it is drying. For scouring common floors that are very dirty, have by you an old tin pan with some gray sand in it; and after soaping the brush, rub it on some sand also. OIL-CLOTHS.—In buying an oil-cloth for a floor, endeavour to obtain one that was manufactured several years before; as the longer it has been made previous to use, the better it will wear, from the paint becoming hard and durable. An oil-cloth that has been made within the year, is scarcely worth buying, as the paint will be defaced in a very little time, it requiring a long while to season. An oil-cloth should never be scrubbed with a brush; but, after being first swept, it should be cleaned by washing with a large soft cloth and lukewarm or cold water. On no account use soap, or take water that is _hot_; as either of them will certainly bring off the paint. When it has dried, you may sponge it over with milk, which will brighten and preserve the colours; and then wipe it with a soft dry cloth.—J. R.