The Weil-Ordered Household 



FROM THE STy^MDPOINT OF A PRACTICAL IV OMAN 



Conducted by Martha Van Rensselaer 



SUGGESTIONS AS TO SAVING STEPS. 



IN THE last issue of Home and Flowers we asked 3^ou to consider the subject 

 of Saving Steps. In a well-ordered household, one of the first things necessary is to 

 study to save time and strength. A great obstacle to the desirable changes in a home 

 is the fact that most housekeepers are doing all the work possible already. Perhaps, 

 then, we can study to do our work with fewer steps and with a less expenditure of time 

 and energy for the sake of adding some of the comforts and enjoyments of life and 

 doing more of those things which are so well worth while for intelligent home-making. 



After reading what we have to say on the subject, will you do two things? First, 

 go into your own kitchen, sit down in the easy chair, which ought always to be there, 

 and study to see whether any changes can be made by which you can take fewer steps. 

 Or it may be your help is wasting tim.e and strength. If you care to do so, answer 

 the questions proposed in connection with this lesson, and send us your opinions. 



Perhaps you may belong to a Grange or to a reading club, or perhaps you might like 

 to organize a club for study and recreation with other women this winter. If so, 

 we may join with you under the following conditions : The club shall consist of ten or 

 more members. It shall have a president and a secretary and shall be designated by 

 a name chosen by the members. The name of the club and the names of the members 

 shall be sent to this department. The questions for the first lesson appear in this issue. 



It is necessary for some one to take the lead and interest as many women as possible. 

 At the first meeting, we will suppose that each one has read the lesson. The presi- 

 dent may open the discussion by a few introductory remarks and ask members to 

 read paragraphs and discuss them. The discussion of the lesson and of the following 

 outline may furnish material for two lessons: 



1. Household improvements for saving steps, such as sinks, drains, ice and win- 

 dow boxes, arrangement of shelves and cupboards. 



2. Useful utensils for saving strength, as trays, high stool, etc. 



3. How to save time and strength in setting and clearing the table, dish-washing, 

 cleaning, etc. 



4. How to plan work so as to save time and steps. 



5. Cost of saving time and steps in a household. 



6. Is it a waste of time to stop and rest ? 



7. How to secure from help a saving of time and strength. 



8. Discuss or read some poem or selection from a favorite author. 



Should clubs wish to pursue the study of some other topic, and introduce this 

 work incidentally, it may be done. We shall be glad to co-operate with you in any 

 way possible. The following may constitute a basis for the first lesson: 



Tlie (log on the clmrn icorJ:s mecluinicaUy. — 

 The dog on the churn keeps his feet moving 

 continually, without making any neadway. 

 The floor moves under him, yet he is at the 

 same point in relation to other objects as 

 when he started. When the dog is released 

 he doe" not know that he has traveled a 



mile of space, nor is he troubled over tomor- 

 row's churning. He is simply, dog fashion, 

 pleased at the moment's release. He has 

 churned the butter, but he does not know it. 



DuU routine mail be drudgerij, hut iutelli- 

 gent interest adds pleasure. — A woman spe'nds 

 365 days getting meals and doing the other 



