TX.-us 



PREFACE. 



THE present volume is made up from the gleanings of a 

 lifetime. "Whenever facts and every-day phenomena have 

 forced themselves on my attention, whether in books or ac- 

 tual experience, I have noted them down in a commonplace- 

 book. These gleanings have nothing but plain language and 

 practical usefulness to recommend them, verbal nicety and 

 literary ornament being no way suited to my purpose. 



My principal objects have been to bring into the compass of 

 one small volume such information as may be useful to both 

 housekeeper and gardener, whether residing in village, coun- 

 try, or city, and to keep in mind through the whole work the 

 various fortunes of the American woman, whose life is often 

 partly spent in cities, partly on Western prairies, and partly 

 on Southern plantations, perhaps begun in affluence, to be 

 finally shorn of all but health, hands, and unfailing courage. 



The receipts I have given I know to be good. Almost all 

 are original, that is, of family origin, not taken from books. 

 A few have been given me by friends. 



If the work should have any influence, however small, on 

 the tendencies of the present day, not only to increase the 



