16 
January, 1891. 
ti«„> — .7--. fi 'v .-. mww ■ ? . --.v ^n-N* ; b aa/W , 
/ ORCHARD /And GRRDE N 
New Year’s Greeting. 
January, 1891. finds Orchard and Gar- 
den in many homes in which it has hitherto 
been a stranger: and to all our new readers 
we extend a hearty welcome, wishing 
them, together \\ ith our hosts of old 
friends, a very “ Happy New Year ” 
We shall not. however, be content with 
good wishes. This is the time when editors, 
as well as other people, are making good 
resolutions; and we have resolved that 
"Eve's Garden" in 1891 shall be better than 
ever before. The favorable comments and 
the praise bestowed upon this department, 
showing how thoroughly it is appreciated 
by our readers, incite us to still greater 
efforts for their benefit. It will be our aim 
to make it so helpful as to oe invaluable to 
every mother and housekeeper. As in the 
past, we shall always be glad to receive 
letters from our readers, giving us the 
results of their experience in various direc- 
tions, asking questions which they would 
like to have answered, or telling us frankly 
just what they think of “ Eve’s Garden. - ’ 
We are, of course, always pleased to receive 
expressions of enjoyment and satisfaction 
in regard to our efforts; yet if there arc any 
unfavorable criticisms to be offered, we 
shall be just as grateful tor them. Hence, 
if we fail to supply what yoq want, don’t 
fail to let us know, and we will see that 
your want is filled. We aim to give a 
sufficient variety so that no one may enter 
our “ Garden ” and go out unsatisfied. 
We are proud of American country 
homes in which so many great and useful 
men and women have been reared. We 
believe that the strength and hope of our 
country lie in these homes, and whatever 
helps to elevate and ennoble them is adding 
just so much to the strength and purity of 
the nation. With all the other things to 
interest them in the paper, we can hardly 
expect the husbands and brothers to turn 
to our modest corner; but they will uncon- 
sciously receive benefit from it, if, through 
its hints and suggestions, our homes are 
made more healthful, more comfortable 
and more enjoyable. 
“Light, More Light.” 
One needs only to belong to a country 
reading club which meets “ around,” at the 
homes of its members, in order to realize 
that the average housekeeper and the ker- 
osene lamp do not fully understand each 
other. How few are the lamps which are 
absolutely odorl°ss and which, with evenly 
trimmed wicks and steady flame, give a 
clear, enjoyable light. Sometimes the 
fault is in the lamp itself, sometimes in 
careless management. The safest rule in 
regard to lamps is, “ Get the best;” but the 
best lamp in the world can soon be ruined 
by neglect, ignorance, or laziness. Many 
people select a lamp with regard to its out- 
ward appearance, making sure of a pretty 
or showy standard, but paying no attention 
whatever to the burner. No more foolish 
mistake could be made. A pretty standard 
is desirable, but not a necessity; while, if 
we would preserve our eyesight and avoid 
painful and perhaps permanent injuries, 
the burner must be good. So, if there be 
not money enough to have both of the best, 
you will be wise to buy a plain lamp, with 
the best burner which the market affords 
Of course there is a difference of opinion 
in regard to which is the best. The Roch- 
ester lamps are deservedly popular; the 
“Lux-Dux,” and the "Gladstone,” have 
enthusiastic admirers; while thousands of 
families consider the Student lamp far 
superior to all others. Any one of these 
lamps, with proper care, will give satisfac- 
tion, that is if the best of kerosene is used. 
Starting with a good lamp, it should be 
filled, trimmed, and thoroughly wiped off 
every day, care being taken to keep the 
draft of the burner free from all obstruc- 
tions, such as bits of old wick, charred 
matches, &c. Round wicks should be care- 
fully rubbed off in one direction, with a 
cloth, but never cut with scissors. A lamp 
should never be filled completely full, as 
kerosene is expansive; and, especially in 
cold weather, there is danger ol accident 
unless it has space in which to expand. 
In blowing out a lamp, the wick should 
be turned down carefully, and should al- 
ways be left down when not in use in order 
to prevent the kerosene from running over 
the outside of the burner. This is especially 
important in the Student lamp which 
always makes trouble when this precaution 
is not taken. A lamp should never be used 
with only a plain glass chimney. A porce- 
lain, ground glass, or other shade is essen- 
tial to soften the light and shut off the 
glare which so soon affects the delicate 
nerves of the eye. In conclusion, do not 
leave the lamps to a careless or ignorant 
servant ; for the price of a good light is con- 
stant care and patience. So much of our 
comfort and happiness depends upon these 
indispensables that we ought not to grudge 
the time or labor necessary to keep them in 
perfect condition. 
— 
Children’s Shoes. 
Every mother appreciates the difficulty 
of keeping her children properly shod; but 
comparatively few 7 realize the importance 
of the matter. 
“Why don’t you keep a bettir assort- 
ment of children’s shoes?” was asked of a 
leading dealer. 
“Because there is no call for it,” was the 
reply. “Nobody wants to pay much for 
children’s shoes, because they are so soon 
worn out; hence fairly good-looking ones 
at a reasonable price are what will sell; and 
unless the child makes a fuss, parents sel- 
dom trouble themselves about the fit. 
Why, people who are very particular about 
their own shoes will allow their children to 
wear shoes which are too short or too nar- 
row, and never notice it.” 
What a commentary 7 on the carelessness 
of parents ! For surely there can be no 
time when a well-fitting shoe is of more 
importance than during childhood and 
early youth, when any compression is liable 
to cause permanent difficulty. 
The proportion of grown people who are 
free from corns, bunions, enlarged joints, 
or other troubles of the feet, is extremely 
small; and nearly all these ailments might 
have been avoided by a more careful selec- 
tion of shoes when the foot was growing 
rapidly. Hence mothers ought to keep 
careful watch of their children’s feet. 
In Case of Illness. 
We are thorough believers in the old 
adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a 
pound of cure.’ 1 It is everybody’s duty to 
be well and keep well, if it is in his power. 
But, in spite of our best efforts, illness will 
sometimes come; consequently, every 
woman ought to know something about the 
care of the sick. In most cases, the nurse 
is nearly as important as the physician: and 
a lack of care or knowledge on her part 
may be attended with serious results. 
Neatness and ventilation are of great 
importance in the sick room; yet it is still 
more important that the patient should be 
kept free from all excitement. An over- 
neat nurse insisted on sweeping a patient’s 
room; and, though she did it quietly and 
carefully, raising but little dust, the result 
was a dangerous relapse. Simply seeing 
the nurse at work was enough to tire out 
and excite the weak, helpless woman on 
the bed. 
It is difficult for a person in vigorous 
health to realize the condition of an invalid. 
To have the bed jarred, or to have any one 
sit down on it, to hear a door slam or a 
window blind creak, or even to watch some 
one knit, any of these, or a dozen other 
trifles, is sufficient to torture a weak and 
nervous person. Hence a general rule in 
caring for the sick should be, avoid all 
noise, especially slamming of doors, rust- 
ling of newspapers, whispering, or conver- 
sation carried on in an undertone. Be 
bright and cheerful, and keep the invalid’s 
thoughts as much as possible away from 
himself and his own condition. Have the 
food perfectly cooked and delicately served. 
Do not allow the patient to become weak 
and faint from waiting beyond his usual 
meal-time. A difference of five minutes 
may be a trivial matter to a well person, 
but a very serious one to an invalid. 
Above all things, keep out visitors, unless 
the doctor wishes to have them admitted. 
Many a sick person has been hurried out of 
the world by the kindness of friends who 
insisted on seeing him and expressing their 
sympathy. Even when the doctor does not 
object to having the patient see visitors, 
the nurse must exercise her judgment in 
the matter; for there are people who ought 
never to visit the sick, and times when the 
best of people should not be admitted. 
