COLOGNE AND SACHET POWDERS

Cologne is quite expensive if bought at the druggist's, but can be made at home with but little expense and trouble, and a better article of cologne than that w'hich is usually bought, can be made by thor- oughly dissolving a fluid drachm of the oil of bergamot, orange and rosemary each, with half a drachm of neroli, and a pint of rectified spirits. Another, equally good, is produced by mixing with one pint of rectified spirit two fluid drachms each of the oils of bergamot and' lemon, one of the oil of orange and half as much as that of the lemon, together with three-quarters of a drachm of neroli and four drops of the essence of ambergris and musk. If this is subsequently distilled, it makes what may be called a perfect cologne, but it becomes exceedingly- fine by being tightly stoppered for two or three months to ripen and mellow before use.

Seven drachms oil of bergamot, four drachms of lemon, three drachms oil of lavender, twelve drops oil of rosemary, twelve drops oil of cloves, twenty-four drops oil of neroli, twelve drops oil of musk, with one quart ninety per cent highwine. Let it stand for a few days, when 3'ou' may add water to suit. For general use a pint will not be too much, and subsequently filter it with magnesia, which will leave it entirely clear. The water will decidedly improve the odor.

Or the following : Three drachms oil of bergamot, two drachms oil of lemon, one drachm oil of neroli, one drachm oil of lavender, two drachms oil of palm, one drachm oil of rosemary, one drachm oil of cloves, one-half drachm oil of coriander, with one quart ninety per cent highwine. Add water same as above.

Otto of Roses — Gather the leaves of any kind of roses (hundred- leaved is best), put them in a jar with sufficient water to cover them ; then put the vessel to stand in the sun. In about a week afterwards the otto or oil will form a scum on the surface, which should be removed by a piece of cotton.

Rose Water — Take otto of roses, twenty-five drops, rub it in with an ounce of white sugar and four drachms of the carbonate of magnesia ; then add gradually half a gallon of water and four ounces of proof spirits.

Lavender Water — Take oil of lavender eight ounces, essence of ber-

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gamot one and a half ounces, essence of musk four ounces, alcohol two gallons, and mix well.

Cologne Water — One pint of alcohol, sixty drops of lavender, sixty drops of bergamot, sixty drops of essence of lemon, sixty drops of orange water ; to be corked up and well shaken. It is better for con- siderable age.

Orris Root gives the same perfume as violets, and is more like the perfume of these flowers than that of the violet powder.

Sandal Wood Powder — is good, and consists of the wood ground fine. Cedar wood when ground forms a body for other powder, and will keep moths at a distance. Dried lavender, dried leaves of the sweet-scented verbena, or tonquin beans, are all pleasant scents. Dried fennel, when ground, is used for this purpose, as is also ground nutmeg.

For Heliotrope Powder, take half a pound of orris root, one quarter pound of ground rose leaves, two ounces powdered tonquin bean, one ounce vanilla bean, one-half drachm grain musk, two drops otto of almonds ; mix it all by sifting through a coarse sieve. This is one of the best sachets ever made, and perfumes table-cloths, sheets, pillow- cases and towels deliciously.

For Lavender Powder, take one pound of powdered lavender, one- quarter pound of gum benzoin, and one-quarter of an ounce of otto of lavender.

Or this : Half a pound of lavender flowers, free from the stalk, half an ounce of dried thyme and mint, a quarter of an ounce of ground cloves and caraway, and one'ounce of dried common salt. Mix them well together, and put into silk or cambric bags.

For Patchouli, use one-half pound of patchouli, ground fine, and a very little otto of patchouli. This herb is often sold in its natural state as imported, and it is tied up in half-pound bundles.

Where one is filling many sachets it pays to buy these ingredients and make the powder. There is nothing to do but mix it nicely, as it requires no other preparation.