672 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION H. 
set in a recess, and covered by a hood connected with a 
flue, so that the fumes of cooking would be removed as 
soon as generated. But here I must anticipate an objection 
that is sure to be raised, viz., the possibility of the 
supply of gas or electricity beyond the limits of towns. 
Well, in the country, the old order will have perforce to 
remain for a time; but as already the greater part of the 
population of civilised countries lives in urban districts, 
and the tendency is towards their increase, the objection 
is not so serlous as may appear at first sight. And with 
the development of electric power, I quite anticipate the 
time when not only domestic work, but much of the farm 
labour of the country, will be carried on by this agent. 
But to return to the kitchen. The old-fashioned dresser 
will probably be superseded by ranges of cupboards, with 
glazed doors, in which all crockery, glass, plate, &c., will be 
kept in full view, but protected from dust. Cupboards for 
stores will also find a place on the walls; and there will be 
drawers for napery. The mistress will thus have every- 
thing to her hand, when wanted. A separate recess or 
closet, to be used as a larder, must, however, be provided ; but 
this may be entered direct from the kitchen, or from a 
lobby adjoining, and need only be of moderate size; indeed, 
a space of 4 feet by 2 feet should be ample for a small ° 
middle-class household, as stores and food are now delivered 
daily in all urban districts. It should be divided by marble 
shelves into several separate stages for vegetables, milk and 
butter, pastry and bread, cooked and uncooked meats; and 
each stage should, of course, be separately ventilated. 
One of the most difficult of domestic problems is that of 
‘“washing-up ” after meals. It is unpleasant work, and 
takes a lot of time. Mr. H. G. Wells, in his interesting 
forecasts of the present century, in the Fortnightly Review, 
suggests soaking all the dirty articles in some chemical 
solution which will dissolve the grease, and then rinsing 
them in clean water. The idea seems feasible, and might be 
easily managed if a large and deep smk were provided 
which would resist the chemicals used, and also transmit 
heat easily. The crockery, &c., would be loosely packed 
in the sink, the cleansing solution run in and runoff when 
it had served its purpose, the process repeated with clean 
rinsing water, and then by lighting gas heating jets under- 
neath, the whole would be rapidly dried, and ready to put 
away for the next meal. The samme method might also be 
applied to the cleansing of cooking utensils, and if made 
of aluminium, they would be light to handle, and easily 
kept clean outside, as well as in. 
