1892 
io7 
for  domestics.  Inquiries  from  its  sub¬ 
scribers  led  The  R.  N.-Y.  to  apply  to 
Mrs.  Logan  for  information  as  to  the  pro¬ 
posed  society.  That  lady  replied  that  she 
had  not  started  such  an  association,  nor 
had  she  anj’  intention  of  so  doing,  she 
being  altogether  too  busy  to  think  of  it 
for  a  moment.  Now,  however,  we  clip 
from  Mrs.  Logan’s  own  journal,  the  fol¬ 
lowing,  which  may  be  considered  authori¬ 
tative,  as  far  as  it  goes. 
“A  number  of  ladies  met  at  Calumet 
Place,  the  home  of  Mrs.  John  A.  Log’an, 
on  Wednesday,  December  9,  to  try  to  or¬ 
ganize  an  association  for  the  training  of 
young  women  in  all  branches  of  domestic 
work — cooking,  cleaning,  washing,  iron¬ 
ing,  the  duties  of  waitress,  housemaid, 
and  everything  that  tends  to  efficiency  in 
household  work. 
Much  interest  was  manifested  by  those 
present  and  a  temporary  organization 
was  effected,  which  it  is  hoped  will  lead 
to  practical  results. 
From  this  school  it  is  proposed  to  grad¬ 
uate  efficient  women  for  every  branch  of 
domestic  service,  who,  whether  in  the 
service  of  an  employer  or  in  their  own 
homes,  can  do  what  they  undertake  prop¬ 
erly.” 
Dress  Reform  on  the  Farm. 
JOSEPHINE  STARR’S  paper  on  dress  in 
a  recent  Rural,  prompts  me  to  “  say 
my  say.”  What  she  says  of  the  famous 
dress  reformers,  who  exhibit  their  artis¬ 
tic  as  well  as  healthful  gowns  is  quite  true. 
Much  time  and  thought  have  been  spent 
on  these  gowns  by  dress  makers  who  are 
real  artists,  and  the  figures  that  wear 
them  have  been  brought  to  the  best  pos¬ 
sible  degree  of  development,  by  Swedish 
gymnastics,  the  Delsarte  system,  or  some 
other  form  of  physical  culture. 
Put  I  do  not  like  that  Josephine  should 
discourage  farmers’  wives  and  daughters 
from  following  these  sensible  fashions, 
even  though  it  must  be  a  long  way 
after.  Now,  I  know  just  what  I  am  talk¬ 
ing  about,  for  I  am  myself  a  crooked,  un¬ 
graceful  “  farmer  woman,”  whose  physi¬ 
cal  culture  was  sadly  neglected;  whose 
home  is,  if  not  “  five  miles  from  a  lemon,” 
at  least  two  miles  from  a  large  town, 
where  many  women  are  exceedingly  well 
dressed.  And  I  affirm  that  gowns  made 
by  unskilled  hands,  from  models  of  the 
Jenness-Miller,  or  Stuart-Parker  type, 
are  quite  as  much  like  the  originals  as 
are  copies  of  fashionable  New  York  or 
Paris  gowns  when  made  by  equally 
unskilled  hands ;  and  the  former  have  a 
decided  advantage  in  the  comfort  of  the 
wearers. 
But  Josephine  touches  every  woman  in 
a  weak  point  when  she  speaks  of  the  cor¬ 
set.  Of  course  we  should  be  better  off, 
in  both  looks  and  health,  if  we,  and  our 
mothers  and  grandmothers  before  us,  had 
never  worn  them,  but  we  are  as  we  are — 
shall  I  say  with  Carlisle,  “  mostly  fools,” 
at  least  on  the  question  of  dress.  How¬ 
ever,  I  can  recommend,  from  my  own  ex¬ 
perience,  a  very  satisfactory  substitute 
for  the  corset,  in  the  Equipoise  waist, 
guiltless  of  steels  and  starch — that  really 
does  wonders  in  the  way  of  improving  the 
looks  of  both  the  slab-waisted  and  the 
200-pound  woman,  without  the  discomfort 
and  damage  of  the  genuine  woman-killing 
corset. 
And  right  here  let  me  put  in  a  plea  for 
the  growing  girl  on  the  farm.  Mother, 
don’t  let  her  adopt  unhealthful  positions 
whether  in  walking,  working,  sitting  or 
resting.  When  you  see  her  “  sit  in  a 
bunch  ”  over  her  book  or  sewing,  and  tell 
her  to  straighten  up,  see  that  she 
straightens  neck  as  well  as  back,  and 
does  not  elevate  both  shoulders  and 
stomach  in  the  effort  to  hold  herself 
When  Baby  was  sick,  we  gave  her  Castorla, 
When  she  was  a  Child,  she  cried  for  Castorla, 
When  she  became  Miss,  she  clung  to  Castoria, 
When  she  had  Children,  she  gave  them  Castoria 
THE  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
erect.  And,  for  her  sake,  look  into  those 
Physical  Culture  movements  that  so  many 
people  are  talking  and  writing  about 
nowadays;  see  if  some  of  the  simplest  can 
not  be  made  useful  in  training  a  daughter 
on  the  farm — developing  flabby  muscles, 
adding  to  her  strength  and  grace.  No 
time!  Pray  what  is  time  given  us  for?  Are 
not  the  daughter’s  health  and  happiness 
of  as  much  importance  as  a  well-scrubbed 
kitchen  floor,  a  whitewash,  or  pie  for 
dinner  every  day?  judy  .tones. 
Special  Notice  of  Birthdays. 
ONE  of  the  standard  writers  in  Har¬ 
per’s  Bazar  talks  of  birthday  cakes 
and  of  methods  of  making  them  especial¬ 
ly  attractive : 
“  The  custom  of  having  a  special  cake, 
round  and  frosted,  for  the  birthday,  gives 
a  pleasure  to  the  smaller  children  of  a 
family,  and  sometimes  to  older  ones, 
which,  once  begun,  no  amount  of  toys  or 
costly  gifts  can  take  the  place  of.  The 
cake  need  not  be  rich  or  difficult  to  make, 
for  the  fact  that  it  is  specially  prepared 
gives  the  plainest  loaf  a  flavor  not  com¬ 
monly  tasted.  It  must,  however,  be 
frosted  and  decorated,  and  cut  by  the 
happy  child’s  own  hand,  in  order  to  secure 
this  mysterious  sweetness.  In  nearly 
every  home  one  kind  of  cake  wins  favor 
above  all  others,  and  this  is  the  one  par 
excellence  for  the  birthday  cake,  although 
for  wee  little  ones  hardly  out  of  baby¬ 
hood  a  simple  sponge  or  angel  cake  is  the 
least  harmful  of  all  the  toothsome  spec¬ 
ies.  But  though  the  cake  may  be  famil¬ 
iar,  the  frosting  and  decking  may  be 
varied  to  please  the  fancy  and  excite  the 
curiosity  on  every  recurring  birthday. 
A  steel  palette-knife  or  spatula  is  most 
convenient  for  spreading  the  frosting.  A 
plain  frosting  can  be  made  into  chocolate 
icing  by  adding  three  tablespoonfuls  of 
grated  chocolate  to  the  boiling  sugar. 
Delicate  pink  or  straw-colored  frosting  is 
particularly  attractive  to  childish  eyes, 
and  is  made  by  adding  a  tablespoonful  of 
colored  sugar,  sold  by  confectioners,  in 
the  same  way  the  chocolate  is  added.  If 
eggs  are  plentiful,  the  white  of  one 
added  to  boiled  frosting  makes  it  of  finer 
grain  and  easier  to  spread.  The  white  of 
egg  should  be  beaten  to  a  stiff  froth,  and 
then  the  sugar  poured  upon  it  gradually 
after  having- boiled  four  minutes,  and  the 
whole  then  well  beaten.  Frosting  made 
of  maple  sugar  is  delicious,  and  is  particu- 
laidy  well  suited  to  spiced  cakes.  It  is 
made  by  the  same  method  as  the  white 
sugar  frosting,  but  requires  one  minute 
longer  boiling.  Milk  frosting  is  another 
favorite  with  children,  and  is  prettiest  to 
look  at  when  spread  on  soft  yellow  cake. 
Boil  together  a  teacup  of  sugar  and  half 
a  one  of  milk,  with  a  teaspoonful  of  but¬ 
ter,  until  a  little  dropped  in  cold  water 
will  thicken.  Then  beat  it  thoroughly, 
and  flavor  with  vanilla.  Long  beating 
makes  the  frosting  white  and  creamy. 
“Surrounding  cakes  with  candles,  one 
for  each  year  is  a  German  custom.  The 
candles  are  melted  slightly  at  the  ends, 
and  then  stuck  upon  the  edge  of  stiff 
white  paper  which  is  put  between  the 
cake  and  its  plate,  and  is  cut  two  inches 
larger  than  the  loaf.  Tiny  little  flags, 
whose  sticks  will  run  easily  down  into 
the  cake  and  float  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
during  the  birthday  feast,  are  liked  by 
both  girls  and  boys.  The  plate  is  con¬ 
cealed  by  a  fringe  of  red,  white  and  blue 
tissue  paper.  The  paper  is  folded  in 
stripes,  and  then  cut  like  fringe,  and  the 
circular  form  given  it  by  tacking  little 
pleats  in  it  with  needle  and  thread.  The 
fringe  is  laid  on  the  plate  first,  and  the 
cake  nestled  in  it.  Pink  sugar  hearts  on 
white  frosting,  with  a  fluffy  pink  paper 
fringe,  delight  a  little  girl,  and  make  an 
apt  St.  Valentine’s  cake.  Favorite  flow¬ 
ers  arranged  in  fern  fronds,  smilax,  or 
their  own  leafage  never  fail  to  please, 
while  candy  stars  and  mottoes  gratify  a 
child  who  has  just  learned  to  x*ead.  The 
name  and  date  spelled  out  with  colored 
sugared  caraway  seeds,  however  awk¬ 
ward  the  lettering,  give  a  satisfaction 
far  greater  than  the  effort  expended. 
Worth  Trying. — Well  worth  a  trial  is 
the  idea  given  by  an  exchange  as  follows  : 
Ironing. — “  No,  I  don’t  get  very  tired 
when  I  iron,”  said  an  experienced  laun¬ 
dress  to  a  lady  who  was  expressing  sym¬ 
pathy  at  her  hard  work.  “  At  least  its 
only  my  arms  and  shoulders  that  get 
tired.  I  don’t  mind  standing  if  I  can  have 
things  my  own  way.  I  always  have  a 
cushion  for  my  feet  when  I  stand  at  the 
ironing-board.  It  is  made  of  a  dozen 
thicknesses  of  old  carpet-lining,  covered 
with  drugget.  The  lining  is  cut  in  squares 
and  very  loosely  tacked  together  with 
long  stitches.  The  drugget  is  cut  of  the 
required  size,  the  edges  are  turned  in  and 
over-handed,  then  strong  stitches  are 
sewed  through  about  every  two  inches 
over  the  surface  of  the  cover.  I  have  a 
little  loop  on  two  corners  of  the  rug  and 
hang  it  up  by  both  loops.  In  this  way  it 
does  not  eurl  up  and  get  out  of  shape,  as 
it  would  if  it  were  hung  by  one  corner. 
1  have  another  rug  in  front  of  my  dish¬ 
washing  table — indeed,  there  are  a  num¬ 
ber  of  them  around  the  house  ;  and  when 
I  have  any  work  that  requires  standing, 
one  of  them  invariably  comes  on  to  the 
floor  under  my  feet. 
“  If  housekeepers  realized  how  much  of 
their  strength  could  be  saved  by  a  few  of 
these  simple  devices,  they  would  not  fail 
to  provide  them.  I  can  stand  at  my  table 
as  long  again  without  feeling  weariness 
if  T  have  one  of  these  cushions  or- pads  to 
stand  on.  I  think  they  might  be  a  profit¬ 
able  article  of  trade.  I  have  used  them 
for  years,  and  I  can’t  see  why  they  have 
not  been  generally  introduced.  They 
seem  as  necessary  to  me  as  holders  and 
stove-brush  es.  ” 
IN  writing  to  advertisers  please  always  mention 
The  Rural. 
For  Bilious  Attacks 
heartburn, 
sick  headache, 
and  all  disorders  of 
the  stomach,  liver, 
and  bowels, 
Ayer’s  Cathartic  Pills 
are  the 
safest,  surest, 
and  most  popular 
medicine  for 
family  use. 
Dr.  J.  C.  Ayer  &  Co. 
Lowell,  Mass. 
••••••••• 
•Tutt’s  Tiny  Pills 
A  A  single  close  produces  beneficial  re- 
suits,  giving  cheerfulness  of  mind  and 
^  buoyancy  of  body  to  which  you  were 
^  before  a  stranger.  They  enjoy  a  pop¬ 
ularity  unparalleled.  Price,  25ets. 
fit 
WM 
KEYSTONE 
CORN  PLANTERS 
are  made  for  business.  Convince  prac¬ 
tical  men  on  sight.  One  in  a  neighbor¬ 
hood  sells  dozens.  The  “JUNIOR” 
PLANTER  is  light,  simple  and 
cheap.  The  “TRACY  COMBIN¬ 
ATION  PLANTER,”  with  Check 
Rower,  is  most  complete,  accurate  and 
durable.  Send  for  circulars  and  proof  to 
KEYSTONE  MFG.  CO., 
Branches: —  Sterling,  III. 
Kansas  City,  Mo.  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Council  Bluffs,  la.  Columbus,  O. 
it  tittf  ttn 
NEW  IIOT-IIOUSE  LETTUCE. 
Send  for  our  1892  illus 
farm  and  garden.  It 
of  all  the  leading 
Vegetables  and  ^ 
description,  and 
colored  plates,  *)  'N 
tore.  With  jfS** 
trial  grounds  ‘ 
the  TEX  “ 
glass,  af 
cilities 
passed 
other, 
for 
trated  Hand  Rook  for  tho 
gives  a  complete  list 
and  reliable  kinds  of 
Flowers  with  a  full 
is  illustrate  witlid 
painted  from  na- 
our  extensive 
in  addition  to 
ACRES under 
fords  us  fa¬ 
it  n  s  u  r  - 
by  any 
ho 
only 
tho 
nating 
of  the  seed 
i  n  g  them 
turity,tho  bene’ 
given  to  our  cus- 
our  specialties  fof 
USE 
RAWSONS 
SEEDS 
house, 
n  o  t 
testing 
g  e  r  m  i  - 
quality 
but  of  see- 
come  to  rna- 
fit  of  which  is 
tomers.  A  few  of 
forcing  are: 
ltawsoii’s  White  Spine 
Rawson’s  Imp.  Forcing  Radish, 
Rawson’s  Long  Scarlet  Radish 
Rawson’s  “Crosby’s”  Egyptian  Beet, 
Rawson’s  Xew  llot-house  Lettuce, 
Cucumber,  pkt.,  10c. 
“  r>c. 
DC. 
6c. 
15c. 
A  full  description  of  these  is  given  in  our  1892 
catalogue,  which  is  illustrated  with  cuts  and  colored 
plates  painted  from  nature,  making  it  not  only  a 
handsome  book,  but  one  of  usefulness  to  all  inter¬ 
ested  in  gardening,  either  for  vegetables  or  flowers. 
Write  at  once,  sending  25  cents,  and  this  collection 
will  1)0  mailed  post-paid  and  our  beautiful  illus¬ 
trated  catalogue.  * 
WILLIS* 
SapSpout. 
In  one  piece  with  hook. 
Greatly  improv’d  this  season. 
Sond  1\  I  j  Tho  best  ever  made.  More  used  every 
for  year  ttian  all  others  combined.  Also 
Circular  full  lino  of  other  Maplo  Sugar  Goods, 
CHARLES  MILLAR  &  SON,  Utica,  N.Y. 
BOILING  WATER  OR  MILK. 
EPPS’S 
GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. 
COCOA 
BREAKFAST  OR  SUPPER. 
ALL  THE  YEAR 
Can  bn  m:ulo  uasv  bv  anv  nuergntic  person  selling  “  CHAM¬ 
PION  PASTE  STOVE  POLISH.**  No  brnah  re- 
qulrcd.  No  hard  labor.  No  (lust  or  dirt-  A I  way  a 
ready  for  u»*c.  An  article  every  housekeeper  will  buy. 
216,000  packages  sold  in  Philadelphia.  Exclunive  agency  for 
one  or  more  counties  given  competent  person.  •  Write  to-day 
enclosing  stamp  for  particulars.  Yon  will  never  regret  it. 
Address.  CHAMPION  CO«  <0  N.  Fourth  St.,  Philadelphia,  Fa. 
iAJirr  SAYS  SHE  CANNOT  SEE  HOW 
nil!.  YOU  00  IT  F0K  THE  MONEY. 
,$19  Buys  a  $65.00  Improved  Oxford  Singer 
V *  Sewing  Machine;  perfect  working,  reli- 
Jable,  finely  finished,  adapted  to  light  and  heavy 
*  work,  with  a  complete  set  of  the  latest  improved 
(attachments  free.  Each  machine  guaranteed  for  5 
years.  Buy  direct  from  our  factory,  and  save  dealers 
and  agents  profit.  Send  for  FREE  CATALOGUE. 
I  OXFORD  MFG.  COMPANY,  IlKP’T  il  32  CHICAGO,  ILL. 
IIAMF  CTIinV  Thorough  and  practlca 
fflilitlE-  ^  1  W  W  1  instruction  given  by 
IIVIVII.  Mail  In  Book-keeping,  Business  Forms 
Arithmetic,  Penmanship,  Shorthand, 
etc.  Low  rates.  Distance  no  objection.  Circulars  free 
Bryant  &  Stratton,  415  Main  Street.  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
GENERAL  ADVERTISING  RATES! 
—  OF  — 
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to  every  inhabited  section  of  North  America,  and  its 
readers  are  the  leading  men  In  their  communities. 
tW  They  are  Buyers. 
ADVERTISING  RATES. 
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