106 



Our Surroundings 



place that it could be swung into it or out into the room. Bread 

 was baked in a large oven built in the side of the fireplace. 



The fireplace of today is smaller or is replaced by the modern 

 grate. This burns much less fuel than the old-fashioned fireplace. 

 In warm climates it is frequently the only method of heating the 

 living-room. In cold climates it is usually used to supplement a 

 hot air heater or some other system of heating. 



Underwood & Underwood. 



A COLONIAL FIREPLACE 



Around it centered the activities of the home. 



The Stove. The first stove was simply an iron box having 

 a door in one end and a hole in the top for the escape of the 

 smoke into the chimney. Stoves of this kind were used in colonial 

 times in this country. As early as 1742, Benjamin Franklin in- 

 vented what he called "an open stove for the better warming of 

 a room," but it is only about a century ago that stoves were 

 generally introduced into our homes. Previous to this there was 

 little warmth in any room except the living-room, as the fireplace 

 was the only means of heating. Other rooms in the house were 



