THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



vidual, it can be secured by the clubbing of half a 

 dozen families. The vestibule of the kitchen should 

 be an orderly receptacle for overshoes, heavy boots, 

 blacking brush, brooms, and should have its hooks 

 for wet wraps and umbrellas. Along one side it 

 should have a locker large enough to serve as a re- 

 ceptacle for slop pails. These pails are essential 

 to receive such waste as will be carried to the barn 

 as food for animals. 



When woman has thoroughly realized the fact 

 that a home kitchen is the most perfect laboratory 

 in the world — for applied chemistry — she will 

 lose her distaste for this field of domestic economy. 

 This will go far to solve the problem of household 

 help. The art of cooking and general homekeeping 

 will be looked upon as a scientific achievement, 

 and by no means a drudgery to be placed on the 

 shoulders of a lower class. 



The dining-room is a social room, and ought to 

 be especially cheering. It should be very light, al- 

 though not sunny. It should be furnished with 

 cut flowers; not to conceal the grossness of eating, 

 but because in the orchard and garden are com- 

 bined the flowers with the fruit. Diet in a country 

 house consists very largely of fruit and nuts and 



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