The Bult.ktix. 43 



HOME-MAKING AND HOME CONVENIENCES. 



By miss H. MAE CARD. 



Tlie word "homo"' tlnills us with delight. A happy home is a blessed reniorii- 

 hiance and a safoguaid to the young wlien they leave it and go out into the 

 world. It is impoi'tant because in the home are reared the boys and girls who 

 are to become tlie nu'U and women of to-morrow and into whose hands will fall 

 the welfare of our Nation and the jjiogrcss of (Miristian work. 



In these days we hear much about "wouvan's rights." Rights she certainly 

 has; but to go to the polls and cast her vote is not the greatest one. The oppor- 

 tunity of moulding the character of the young life entrusted to her care is the 

 greatest privilege she can ask, the greatest right she can claim. 



In order to do this important task, wisely and well, the motlicr must not 

 spend all of her time in the kitchen and at her housework. Solomon says the 

 wise woman "looketh well to the ways of her household." Tlie inmates are of 

 more importance than the house. For this reason she must simplify her living 

 and plan her work to nuike it as easy as possible to have the time to devote to 

 the cultui-e of the head and the heart. 



Here are a few suggestions which may help some one to gimplify the work 

 which falls to the lot of the average farmer's vsdfe: First let us look into the 

 kitchen. I mention the kitchen first, for to the woman who does her own cooking 

 it is the most important room in the house. More than that, it is one of the most 

 important workshops in the world — important because it is there that the 

 materials are prefxired which are to build the strong and healthy men and 

 women of our country. Can you think of a workshop more important than that ? 

 And yet, as a rule it is the most poorly equipped in the world. Go into a man's 

 workshop and notice how convenient it is. Every necessary tool is there and in 

 the most convenient place. 



The kitchen should be well lighted and easily v«ntilated. It should not be so 

 large that the housewife has to travel several miles while preparing her dinner. 

 A kitchen large enough to eat in and for the men to sit around in, on rainy 

 days, is not an ideal kitchen to woik in. 



Place the stove, which should be the very best you can afford — if possible, a 

 range with all its modern improvements — between two windows. Lower the 

 windows from the top and much of the heat and steam mil escape. Have a 

 shelf near the stove on which to place the utensils used constantly around tlie 

 stove. 



If the kitchen table be covered with aluminum or zinc, hot pots may be 

 placed upon it, and no scrubbing is needed to keep the table top clean. If 

 rollers be placed on the legs, the table may be easily moved to the stove, when 

 frying batter-cakes or cooking anytliiiig which needs constant attention, and many 

 steps be saved. An improvement on the table is the kitchen cabinet with its 

 drawers, bake-board. and receptacles for sugar, spices, and flour. 



A high stool on which to sit at the table or sink when prei>aring the vegetables 

 will rest the tired feet. The rough ironing may also be done while sitting on this 

 stool. Form the habit of sitting as much as possible while at your work. Have 

 an easy chair or a little rocker in which you may rest while waiting those five 

 minutes for that pie to finish baking. Save your strength and enerjry. 



Do not get the mistaken idea that all your cooking utensils should 'be away in 

 the pantry out of sight. If clean and bright they are an ornament to your 

 kitchen. Screw some brass hooks into two strips of moulding and tack them up 

 over the kitchen table. Here hang the egg-beater, masher, strainer, and utensils 

 used daily in the kitchen. Have a hook for each article, those used oftenest in 

 the most convenient place, and always keep each article on its proper hook. Above 

 this, place a shelf for the cans of tea, coffee, etc. These may be enclosed, if you 

 prefer, in a small cupboard. 



