BLOW AWAY THAT CLOGGED DRAIN

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COUNTRY LORE

Heavy Artillery

The easiest, fastest, and environmentally friendliest way to unclog a sink or bathtub is with your garden hose. Simply bring your hose into the room with the clogged drain. I bring mine in the front door, across my living room, down the hall, and into the bathroom. I wipe it off so I don't drag dirt or mud through the house, and my wife doesn't say a word. Just place the nozzle in the drain and wrap a rag around it to make a good seal. If there is a vent, as in bathtubs or bathroom sinks, stuff a rag tightly in there too. When you are ready, simply squeeze the handle and you have all the pressure you will need to open any clogged drain in seconds.

A few minutes and a garden hose may be all you'll need to clear that clog.

A word of caution: Squeeze the handle slowly at first and gradually bring it up to full force. I let mine run about 5-10 seconds after the clog is cleared to help flush out any other material (hair-soap scum) that may cause a clog later on. While I have the hose in the house I hit all the drains just to make sure they are flowing free.

—James J. Scott
Hermitage, PA

Crying Out A Bee Sting

I have every issue of Mother Earth since the first copy. I must admit I haven't had time to read every word of every issue and sometimes I am an issue or three behind. Still it is a valued magazine for my household.

In issue No. 144 (June/July) on page 18, there were several "remedies" for bee stings. Every person has in his or her home the perfect bee sting antidote. An onion is my answer; a technique acquired from the mountaineers in West Virginia where I grew up.

If a large onion is available, cut a slice and apply it to the sting. If a green onion is used, cut just the bulb and use it. Make sure the onion has a lot of juice.

The pain will cease almost immediately if applied in a reasonably short time. There will be no swelling or soreness. The side effect? A hole appears where the stinger entered. It will be rather large (comparatively speaking). The good news is it will not be permanent. All things pass eventually.

I have used this method on myself and on my friends and children—it works. I have never heard of it being used on a snakebite, but it would be my first response before calling 911. The onion seems to draw the poison out—the large hole would seem to indicate this. Then why not on snakebites?

When camping, hiking, or just wandering, don't leave home without one!

—Homer D. Abbott
Galena, MO

Ten G allon Fly Chaser

Your June/July 1994 issue (#144) has Peter Godley getting sticky and gooey in the Country Lore section by applying oil to his hard hat in an attempt to keep warm weather pests out of his eyes and face. I want to share my own fly chaser with all those folks out there.

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