Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/285

 to the bottom. Whenever you have feathers to be purified use the clear water from this, taking care not to stir up the lime, or you can prepare the water as you need it. Put the feathers into a clean tub, pour the lime water over them, and stir them about well until all sink to the bottom—be sure you have enough water to cover them—let them remain in this three or four days, then take them out, drain on a sieve, and well wash or rinse in clean water; dry on a net—an old fishing net or old hammock—shake the net now and then, and when dry the feathers will gradually fall through, and can be gathered up and put into bags till you have enough for use. I have treated all kinds of feathers in this way, sea birds, parrots, hawks, &c., &c., and have found that the strongest scented lose all unpleasantness after being washed in this way.