Items of Interest June 2, 1917 Issue

Items of Interest

The Leather and Paper Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture, advising on the care of leather shoes, says: "Shoes should be oiled or greased whenever the leather begins to get hard or dry. They should be brushed thoroughly, and then all the dirt and mud that remains washed off with warm water, the excess water being taken off with a dry cloth. While the shoes are still wet and warm apply the oil or grease with a swab of wool or flannel. It is best to have the oil or grease about as warm as the hand can bear, and it should be rubbed well into the leather, preferably with the palm. If necessary, the oil can be applied to dry leather, but it penetrates better when the latter is wet. After treatment the shoes should be left to dry in a place that is warm—not hot.

"Castor oil is satisfactory for shoes that are to be polished; for plainer footgear neat's-foot, fish oil, or oleine may be substituted. If it is desired to make the shoes and boots more water-proof, beef tallow may be added to any of these substances at the rate of half a pound of tallow to a pint of oil. The edge of the sole and the welt should be greased thoroughly. Too much grease cannot be applied to these parts."

Sugar-cane grows luxuriantly in eastern Bolivia, attaining a great height, and the crop is seldom injured by frost. Its cultivation is conducted in the most primitive manner. Sugar is made by boiling the cane juice in a copper cauldron until it becomes of the proper consistency, when it is transferred to earthenware crocks with a hole in the bottom for the molasses to drain out. The refining is done by the claying process, and the molasses is made into alcohol. Many planters still use the antiquated wooden sugar mills, and most of the iron mills in use are operated by animal power. The native planter has no love for machinery, is in consequence ignorant respecting it, and either can not or will not learn anything about a steam engine. There are only fifteen steam power sugar mills in all eastern Bolivia. The animal power mills are generally worked by means of oxen.

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