THE SMELL OF NEW PAINT.—A bundle of old dry hay, wetted and spread about, presents a multifarious absorbing surface for this, especially if not on the floor only, but over pieces of furniture which allow circulation of air, as chairs laid upon their faces, &c. Large vessels of water, as trays and pans, are not uncommonly used, with good effect; but the multiplied surfaces of the loose hay give it great advantage. It must be kept wet, however, or at least damp, for the oily vapour does not seem to be readily absorbed unless the air is kept moist by evaporation.—J. P. TO REMOVE BLACK STAINS FROM THE SKIN.—Ladies that wear mourning in warm weather are much incommoded by the blackness it leaves on the arms and neck, and which cannot easily be removed, even by soap and warm water. To have a remedy always at hand, keep in the drawer of your wash-stand a box, containing a mixture in equal portions of cream of tartar, and oxalic acid (POISON). Get at a druggist’s half an ounce of each of these articles, and have them mixed and pounded together in a mortar. Put some of this mixture into a cup that has a cover, and if, afterwards, it become hard, you may keep it slightly moistened with water. See that it is always closely covered. To use it, wet the black stains on your skin with the corner of a towel, dipped in water (warm water is best, but is not always at hand). Then, with your finger, rub on a little of the mixture. Then _immediately_ wash it off with water, and afterwards with soap and water, and the black stains will be visible no longer. This mixture will also remove ink and all other stains from the fingers, and from white clothes. It is more speedy in its effects if applied with warm water. No family should be without it, but care must be taken to keep it out of the way of young children, as, if swallowed, it is poisonous.—J. L. INCOMBUSTIBLE VARNISH FOR WOOD.—Equal parts of solutions of alum and isinglass applied to where the flame acts, prevent its burning, but do not hinder the transmission of heat. Liquids can be boiled in a wooden vessel on a common fire, if this varnish be applied to them.—X.—[The wood chars, though it does not flame.] TO VARNISH PLASTER FIGURES.—Take half an ounce of tin, half an ounce of bismuth, melt in a crucible, then add half an ounce of mercury. When perfectly combined, remove the mixture from the fire and let it cool. Mix with the white of an egg, and it forms a beautiful varnish. The figure to be dipped in it, and polished when dry. VARNISH FOR HARNESS.—Take half a pound of India-rubber, one gallon of spirits of turpentine, dissolve enough to make it into a jelly by keeping almost new milk-warm: then take equal quantities of good linseed oil (in a hot state) and the above mixture, incorporate them well on a slow fire, and it is fit for use.—J. J.