FARM MANAGEMENT 103 



prove equally advantageous. It is just as important to supply the 

 farmer's wife with carpet sweeper, washing machine, bread mixer, 

 and other labor-saving devices, and with sharp knives, egg beaters, 

 measuring cups, and other kitchen conveniences as it is to use separa- 

 rators in the dairy or other modern appliances in general farm work. 



The following is a general description of a model kitchen, with 

 sanitary wall and floor coverings and kitchen furniture. A floor 

 covering of oilcloth or linoleum is suggested as desirable, since it can 

 be kept clean easily by mopping, and it does not require hand and 

 knee work with a scrubbing brush. For best wear the more expen- 

 sive sort is preferable, but even a cheap floor covering, which needs 

 very frequent replacing, is preferable to a wood flooring, which 

 needs more scrubbing. An oiled hardwood floor is easily cleaned, 

 but is dark and unattractive. Tiling is clean, but harder for the feet 

 than linoleum. A sanitary wall covering in imitation of tiling is 

 recommended, which is applied like ordinary wall paper, and which 

 is comparatively cheap, easily cleaned, and attractive. It must be 

 carefully hung so that there may be no cracks or other hiding places 

 for vermin. Metal tiling is perhaps more sanitary, but is also more 

 expensive. It is, however, cheaper than true tiling and perhaps as 

 satisfactory. 



In this model kitchen a model kitchen cabinet, which provides 

 many conveniences and has the advantage of grouping working ma- 

 terials at hand where they are needed, is placed where there is good 

 light, next to the stove, on the one hand, and to the cold pantry, on 

 the other, with the sink at the back. The stove is also placed where 

 light is abundant. 



When an engine is not used to supply the house with water, a 

 small hand force pump should be placed in the kitchen. The pump 

 should be connected with the cistern or well, so the housewife can 

 obtain the water needed without going out of doors. In addition to 

 the larger and more important facilities for lessening housework, 

 there are several small devices, the greater number of which can be 

 made at home at odd times and at a very small cost and which will 

 go far toward the comfort of the persons doing the work. One of 

 these is a ventilated window or outside cupboard for the keeping 

 of meats, vegetables, and other necessaries of the kitchen. This cup- 

 board consists of a sort of extension built on the side of the kitchen, 

 generally occupying the lower half of a window, and is made 

 of slatted blinds such as are used for window shutters. In fact, one 

 pair of shutters cut in two in the middle will form the entire outer 

 portion of the box. After nailing the blinds together a floor and 

 roof are provided, and, if desirable, a shelf may be added about half 

 way from the bottom. A top covering of tin or roofing paper is 

 essential and should be put on over the boards. Before putting in 

 the shelf the inside of this ventilated box should be lined with fly- 

 screen wire to prevent flies and other insects getting in. After this 

 device is installed in the lower half of a window it can be reached 

 by simply raising the lower sash. By actual experience this has been 

 found to be one of the greatest labor-saving devices that can be 



