118 



HOME AND FLOWERS 



within another, with a space between to be 

 filled with some non-conducting material, 

 as charcoal or sawdust, or a lining may be 

 built within the box affording such non- 

 conducting arrangement. The amount of 

 provisions saved in one season by the use 

 of refrigerator or an ice box more than 

 pays the expense of one; many trips to the 

 cellar are also thus saved the housekeeper. 



A woman may make moncn out of her ice 

 harvest. — An ingenious housekeeper secured 

 permission to use the pond on the farm as 

 she desired. She had it thoroughly cleansed 

 in warm weather when the help was not 

 needed in other work. With lumber already 

 on the place she had a small building con- 

 structed near the house, and with sawdust 

 drawn from a neighboring mill, the house 

 was prepared for the storing of ice. When 

 the ice was ripe for harvesting, a good sup- 

 ply was stored for summer use. The follow- 

 ing season she sold ice to her neighbors, 

 thus securing considerable spending money. 

 Too bad there are not ponds on all farms. 



A common ice house at the creamer u. — At the 

 creamery there is a demand for ice, and 

 there is a running stream. Why may not 

 the patrons unite with the owners of the 

 creamery in damming the stream and secur- 

 ing a large quantity of ice? One large ice 

 house may save the expense of several in a 

 community, and the waste of ice will be 

 much less. 



A window cuphoard saves steps. — Many a 

 thrifty housekeeper has found in cold 

 weather that a window box saves her many 

 trips to the cellar or to a room kept cool 

 enough for provisions. A window in a pan- 

 try, dining room or kitchen is made to move 

 easily up and down. A dry goods box the 

 size of the lower sash is fitted into the 

 window from the outside and fastened to the 

 casing. Holes are punctured in the box, or 

 wire netting may form one side for ventila- 

 tion. When the window is lowered, the 

 provisions are kept as cool as the outside 

 air, and near the place where the work is 

 done. 



Hints on kitchen facilities. — The interior 

 arrangement of houses and the placing of 

 utensils make a great difference in the num- 

 ber of steps to be taken. Articles not often 

 used should be placed in the further 

 corners and give place to those which are 

 constantly in demand. Have ready a high 

 stool under the sink which may be used 

 when vegetables are to be prepared or dishes 

 washed. A wire dishcloth saves both time 

 and annoyance in washing pots and kettles. 

 Have a tray always ready upon which the 

 soiled dishes are brought from the dining 

 room to the kitchen to be washed and re- 

 turned to the dining room. 



Have a pail conveniently located for gar- 

 bage, which may be kept clean and easily 

 emptied by means of a newspaper placed in 

 the pail each time before it is used again. 

 There may be dredges on the table, one for 

 salt, one for sugar and one for flour. Have 

 a bag for waste papers, paper sacks and 

 strings. Cooking utensils to be free from 

 dust should be in a cupboard. 



A drop shelf is often used to advantage, 

 and is very easily constructed. It is at- 

 tached to the wall by hinges, and a prop 



fastened to the shelf by another hinge. This 

 prop then falls into place easily and the 

 shelf is raised and fastened against the wall 

 by a button when not in use. 



Tlie work confined to a small space. — A kitch- 

 en should be arranged so as to confine the 

 work to as small a space as possible. 

 A window box should be at the right 

 where all of the perishable provisions are 

 placed. Next is the little stove where much 

 of the cooking is done. The zinc-covered 

 table provides space for dish washing and 

 the preparations of foods. Few steps are 

 needed to secure the various utensils, for 

 they hang within easy reach. 



It is desirable to have the tables cov- 

 ered with zinc, as they are much more easily 

 cleaned, and afford a smoother surface for 

 work. A trap door in the floor, with a hop- 

 per underneath connected with the drain, 

 affords a convenient place to empty wash 

 water and admits of putting more water on 

 the floor for scrubbing. 



A dummy quite easily constructed with 

 shelves which can be raised from and 

 lowered into the cellar through the 

 floor saves much traveling up and 

 down stairs. The dummy is raised and low- 

 ered by a handle, which is quite out of sight 

 under the table. The weights are run 

 in an extra frame in the cellar by pulleys 

 between fram-e and weights, between which 

 there is a space for the pulley to move 

 easily. If one has a cool cellar it takes the 

 place of a refrigerator. 



Much depends upon a woman's saving 

 strength. — The home is the center of the uni- 

 verse. Woman is the center of the home. 

 Civilization therefore is dependent upon her 

 health and her stimulating influence. All 

 household improvements which can be pro- 

 vided to conserve her strength will add to 

 her power and efficiency. 



A FEW QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON. 



1. Make a drawing of a model kitchen, in- 

 dicating a desirable position for stove, cup- 

 boards, wood box, sink, etc., and give loca- 

 tion of entrance to dining room, wood shed 

 and veranda. State the desired dimensions 

 of the kitchen. 



2. Outline in general the routine house 

 work of the forenoon in the way you think 

 most steps can be saved. 



3. Explain how you would wash dishes in 

 the best way to save steps. 



4. What is the easiest way to do the fam- 

 ily washing well? 



5. Can you suggest any way by which 

 ice can be cheaply provided for use. 



6. At what height should a sink used for 

 dish washing, etc., be constructed for the use 

 of a woman five feet four inches in height? 



7. How may the supply of water be fur- 

 nished to the kitchen in order to save the 

 housewife the most labor? 



8. Reading affords relaxation, and makes 

 a woman's steps less taxing. What are you 

 reading for this purpose? 



9. Describe any device for saving steps 

 which are useful in your homes. 



Be sure to send your full name and ad- 

 dress with answers to these questions. 



