Cookery for every household

chairs are both suitable — or even camp-chairs with a strong carpet cover might be used, as they can be folded up during the day and put out of the way. In any case it should be remembered that our maids require something a little better than a straightbacked wooden seat when their day’s work is over. One or two good strong rugs will be necessary, or pieces of stout carpet neatly bound at the edges will serve the purpose very well. These rugs should be rolled up and put aside at night, and then not laid down again until the principal work in the kitchen is finished the following day. A fender may also be required ; a simple curb is all that is necessary, although one made of steel will of course be more ornamental. In very small kitchens the fender can sometimes be dispensed with altogether, if a light screen is hooked on to the front of the fire to prevent the cinders falling out, and also as a protection from the heat. A strong poker, coal shovel and scuttle should also be provided. The best shape of scuttle is that known as a coal hod ; it takes up little room, and is not so easily knocked over as the scoop shape. The flue rake and flue brush are generally supplied along with the stove. The arrangement of the kitchen window depends very much on the style of the house. As a rule a short muslin curtain across the window is all that is necessary, and all there is room for. A strong washing muslin is best, or, if preferred, a fight casement cloth, but it must be a material that will wash well and not lose its colour in the tub. This curtain must be simply made with a hem top and bottom and no lace or frills. If the window is wide, it should be made in two parts with a division in the middle, but if narrow, it will look better in one piece. The curtain should be half as wide again as the width of the window, to allow for fulness. A fight brass or wooden rod should be fitted across the window at a convenient height and the curtain fixed to that, either by means of small rings, or by slipping the rod through the upper hem of the curtain. If the kitchen is large and the window wide, Short side curtains, of some pretty cretonne, linen, or casement cloth might add very much to the comfortable appearance of the room. These are easily washed, and, provided they are not made long, they will not be found an inconvenience. A simple rod should be fixed across the window and the curtains attached to that by means of rings sewn on to the upper hem or heading. By this means the curtains can easily be slipped off when they require washing. Woollen draperies must never form part of the kitchen furnishing, as they hold the odours of cooking and are not healthy. A good clock must not be forgotten when furnishing the kitchen —either one to hang on the wall or a good alarm clock, which can easily be carried about or taken to the maids’ bedroom at night. KITCHEN UTENSILS It is impossible to enumerate exactly the number and kind of utensils required in any house ; this must be determined somewhat by the style of the house and the accommodation there is for keeping things, the number in the family, and their require- ments, and also upon the funds at disposal, so that when making a selection these points must be borne in mind.