SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
111 
be planned for burning gas or kerosene. The coal fire 
must be fed several times a day with coal and the ashes 
must be removed to keep the fire burning clearly. Wood 
burns out quickly and must be replaced often. Both 
wood and coal stoves mean almost constant care for the 
housekeeper. 
Gas gives less trouble. It comes in pipes from out- 
side the house. This means that somebody else— the 
gas company — provides the supply. You turn on the 
gas when you want to use it and turn it off, if you are 
wise and thoughtful, the moment it is not needed. The 
gas company measures the amount of gas that you use 
by its meter, and you pay for every bit that you burn or 
waste. The important thing, then, is to use as little 
gas as possible in order to pay for as little as possible. 
You would rather pay twenty-five cents for a thrift 
stamp, than for gas that had burned simply because you 
had forgotten to turn it off. Be sure that gas is turned 
completely off at all places and never have a low light 
burning, as the flame may be blown out and the unburned 
gas escape. This would be dangerous and might even 
kill persons in the house. 
The kerosene stove may be used instead of a gas stove 
in houses which are not piped for a gas supply. If wicks 
are used they must be carefully trimmed, so that they will 
be clean and even. A kerosene stove needs frequent 
cleaning. It should be kept free from dust and from 
drippings of oil. 
The Fireless Cooker 
When a Girl Scout gets to thinking about all the work 
to be done in a kitchen she will ask some very important 
questions. How much work is to be done? How long 
does it take to do it? Can time be saved by doing it in 
a better way ? How can I save labor. Save time ? Save 
money ? 
