System in the Home 1849 



or act alike, only a few sugp;estions can be given along those 

 lines common to all home-makers. 



First: '' Plan the clay's work, then work the plan and be snre 

 not to let the plan work yon." A few moments spent the night 

 before in planning the dnties of the coming day will enable the 

 honsewife to accomplish the labors of that day with mnch less 

 anxiety and care. By deciding npon the most important thing 

 to be done and how to do it ; by taking note of the left overs in the 

 cupboard or refrigerator, the work can be done and menns 

 planned so that time, labor and food may be saved. Always in 

 planning the next day's work leave time for the unexpected things 

 which are apt to happen and consume time. 



Second: ^' Do things regnlarly and in order." Many have 

 thought a system of work was established by washing on Monday, 

 ironing on Tuesday, baking Wednesday, sweeping upstairs Thurs- 

 day, sweeping downstairs Friday, cooking and getting the house 

 ready on Saturday for Sunday. When these things can be done 

 on the days mentioned it does help the housewife to distribute the 

 more arduous labors of the week; but there are many households 

 where it is impossible to follow out this program. Many a sys- 

 tematic woman has found that it is not so much the day as the 

 way in which the work is done that counts. 



Take for instance the family washing, whether done on Monday 

 or any other day, the way in which it is done is of more import- 

 ance. Do not 'begin feeling heavily burdened and notifying the 

 family that there is a big day's work and every one must hustle. 

 First, see that there is plenty of water heating; then sort the 

 clothes, placing like things together and put to soak. Get a good 

 breakfast and enjoy eating it. Do not sit on the edge of the chair 

 ready to jump at the least provocation. After the breakfast is 

 over, do up the usual chores, and then get everything ready for 

 washing. Now is the time to call for help, if there is no motor 

 or other power to turn the washing machine (for every well-organ- 

 ized house now possesses such a machine). Call in the man or 

 grown boy to help turn the machine. A systematic housewife will 

 so manage the work of handling the clothes that no time will be 

 lost. As soon as the machine has been turned, the man power is 

 put to turning the wringer ; then he carries the basket to the lino 

 and while the superintendent is hanging the clothes, he empties the 



