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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



March, 19 13 



the percolating machine is made in one piece. The standard 

 finish is polished nickel, although some prefer copper. 



Here is the cooking of a breakfast provided for, and all 

 at the table. Here is work turned into more or less of a 

 frolic. What a boon to the housewife when without a maid. 



There is a chafing dish with its electrical attachment. No 

 alcohol eded; no fire risk. Again the snap of a switch 

 turns on a clean, safe, odorless heat. Who does not like 

 to cook in a chafing dish? Here it is at its best. This is 

 a great thing for the small family in a flat. There is the 

 place where such appliances are most needed. The only 

 thing against all of these is the high price. I am hopeful 

 that the prices will become lower as the extreme novelty 

 wears away. 



In the kitchen we find that great strides have been made. 

 Now we have the Domestic range which uses the ordinary 

 utensils like the gas range. In this is combined the boiler, 

 the oven and the broiler. Utensils for each of these de- 

 partments of cooking may be bought separately and placed 

 upon shelves or the table when in use. I think the range 

 in its compact form is the best way, although first cost seems 

 so large. The cleanliness of all these electric appliances 

 must appeal to all housekeepers. 



Washing made easy! That awful bugbear to all of us 

 is made a matter of interesting play. Think of being able 

 to attend to other work while the clothes wash themselves! 

 The principle in cleaning the clothes is tumbling them back 

 and forth in the barrel, and forcing the hot water and 

 suds through the fabric without rubbing them against any- 

 thing but themselves. 



The wringer, too, is run by the same power that runs 

 the washer. When the machine is running for washing, the 

 same power may be used to turn the wringer at the same 

 time, so the clothes already washed may be rinsed and put 

 through the wringer while the second lot are being washed. 



To me the height of wonder has been reached by the 

 lastest development in the kitchen, and that is in the produc- 

 tion of a range combining oven, broiler and boiler, and all 

 of these helped through the principles of the fireless cooker. 

 It is much simpler and much more easily cared for than a 

 gas range, and it is not to be compared with the labor 

 and danger of the old-fashioned cook-stove of many 

 discomforts. 



For years I have used a fireless cooker of my own con- 

 struction, and have been able to save, through its help, 

 much gas and labor; wear and tear of body and mind, but, 

 it had its limitations, for it was, of course, without any heat 



save that which was in the contents of the cooking utensils 

 placed therein. 



Now I am the proud possesser of this twentieth century 

 wonder. It is far easier to manage than any gas range I 

 have ever used, and it is so much safer. It takes up so 

 much less room than either gas or coal range while its 

 productive or usable capacity is nearly the same. The same 

 simple principle is used that you are familiar with in lighting 

 your home. There is no more heat radiated from it than 

 from an incandescent light in your room. There, it is ahead 

 of the gas range, for flowers may be placed on the top of 

 it while the cooking compartments are in full operation. 



The current is applied by means of the main switches 

 which are in turn operated by a Double Pole Knife Switch 

 controlled by the clock — that is set just like the one in your 

 sleeping chamber. I do not enjoy being a slave to my 

 kitchen any more than others do, but I love to cook; to 

 enjoy the satisfaction of seeing my people eat with a relish, 

 the food I have prepared for them, to see them grow 

 and be benefited, and be well-nourished. I like to be able 

 to go out on an afternoon and feel that such dissipation 

 will not mean a poor dinner for my family. In this combina- 

 tion range, all such possibilities are fully realized. Perhaps, 

 I may wish to leave home just after luncheon to attend a 

 lecture, a matinee or to make a round of calls. I can feel 

 sure that I shall not return before half-past five. I prepare 

 my vegetables and put them with a little water in the re- 

 ceptables of the boiling department of which there are 

 three, with an over-all covered pan which will hold, say, a 

 nice pudding. I close the door, set the indicator at 2, which 

 means boiling heat. When a second hand of the indicator 

 slowly moving, reaches the hand at 2, an automatic switch 

 cuts off the current and the cooking goes on as in the old 

 fireless cooker. I place a six-pound roast of beef in the 

 oven, prepared for cooking. I set the indicator of that oven 

 door at 6, and when the second hand reaches 6, an auto- 

 matic switch cuts off that current and the cooking goes on. 



Now here is the miracle ! Here is where the clock does 

 its work! You set the alarm at 4, just as you set any 

 alarm, and when four o'clock comes the alarm is so ar- 

 ranged that it opens the switches and both compartments 

 start cooking, and whether you are on time or whether you 

 are late, the food is not injured by waiting, as all know 

 who have ever used a fireless cooker. To sum up : this great 

 force, electricity, is being harnessed so that every house- 

 wife may drive it with ease and comfort — if she can only 

 have the chance, and when that comes may come economy. 



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A RABBIT HOT-WATER 

 BOTTLE 



Photographs by Mary H. Northend 



This little rabbit is made of cotton 

 flannel and is about eight inches 

 long. It has pink bead eyes and the 

 ears are lined with pink. A pink 

 ribbon is tied around its neck. This 

 is designed to hold a children's hot 

 water bottle, an opening in the back 

 is made through which the bottle 

 is put, and over which the cloth 

 buttons. This little "Bunny" is 

 very popular with the children and 

 may be had in the shops for about 

 $1.50. 



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