MOTHER'S DOWN-HOME COUNTRY LORE

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Here's another fine batch of tips and hints from down-to-earth folks all over MOTHER land. And here are answers to the questions I get asked most often:

Sorry, but in order to "spread the wealth" as far as possible, we must limit our subscription swap offer to one to a contributor. Feel tree to send along as many effective ideas as you like, however, since I naturally receive many duplicates (and your chances of submitting an unduplicated usable tip will be greater if you send in more than one).

And please do remember that we work several months ahead on MOTHER and that I have no way of knowing exactly when an accepted idea will pop up in this column. You'll be notified if and as soon as your hint is accepted . . . but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll see it in print immediately.

And please, please remember that I'm just a distant outpost editor for Country Lore and nothing more. If you want to change your address, inquire about an old subscription, or otherwise conduct business with MOTHER, write directly to THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS; P.O. Box 70, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28739.

And, oh yes: When you submit an idea to this department, do be sure to tell me—exactly?the name in which your subscription is entered (if you already have one). That way, if you're a winner, the folks in North Carolina will be able to locate and extend the old subscription with a minimum amount of hassle. Thanks!

Country nights are quiet (between the calls of the owl) unless you have one of those old slat?type beds that creaks every time a sleeper changes position. "But you can silence those complaining boards," says Connie Kerr?Laughlin, of Edinboro, Pennsylvania. "Remove the slats, wrap both ends of each one in newspapers, and replace the boards. Peace at last!"

Fenceposts will stay put a lot longer (especially in damp areas) if they're set in concrete . . . but there's a wrong and a right way to do the job. If you just pour the mix into a hole and then push the post down into it, you'll create a "vase" that holds water. And sooner or later, that water will cause the post to rot or rust off. Patricia Lynch?of Woodinville, Washington?has a better idea: "Dig the hole, throw in a few inches of pebbles or crushed stone for drainage, and 'plant' the post. THEN pour the concrete around the upright. Any water that seeps down between this post and its concrete will harmlessly drain away."

Mrs. Melvin Frederick of Durango, Iowa suggests putting a large handful of baking soda into the water you use for scalding fowl of any kind: "You'll find that it makes it easier to do a quick, clean job of defeathering the birds."

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