OUR COUNTRY HOME 



up the furniture and putting away the bric-a-brac when leaving, 

 which would entail even more work in readjusting and uncovering 

 and vigorous cleaning in the springtime. In the early days I 

 acknowledge that I thought this was the only way to be a good 

 housekeeper ! 



But the Constant Improver is not so named for naught. 

 ''The important thing," he said, "is to have furnishings simple 

 enough so that the house may be closed by turning the key, then it 

 is ready for the week-end visit at any time of the year. " After he 

 had once persuaded me to try his easy method, moving lost all its 

 terrors. 



People who have never attempted it, often have the belief that 

 it is easier to keep house in the city than in the country, that one 

 is nearer the source of supplies, and that things in general are more 

 convenient in the city. I wish to assert the contrary. With proper 

 system and a little forethought at the beginning of the season, the 

 house really keeps itself, and there is not that constant battle with 

 dust and soot which makes the housekeeper's life in the city a daily 

 martyrdom. It is easy also to arouse in the household a spirit of 

 interest in the country life out-doors. One little maid, newly come, 

 was so impressed with the knowledge of the Constant Improver, 

 that, pointing to our collection of last year's birds' nests, she asked 

 if he had made them and put them out for the birds to use! Later 

 on, I discovered one day in the out-of-door dining-room that the 

 dry crusts of bread thrown out to the birds had been carefully soaked 



