Four bread-tins, of best tin (or, better still, Russia
iron) , the best size for which is ten inches long by four
wide and four deep ; the loaf baked in such pan requiring
less time, and giving a slice of just the right shape and
size ;
Cake-tins of various shapes as desired, a set of small
tins being desirable for little cakes.
A small sifter in basket shape will be found good for
cake-making, and a larger one for bread ; and spices can
be most conveniently kept in a spice-caster, which is a
stand holding six or eight small labeled canisters. Near
it can also be small tin boxes or glass cans for dried
sweet herbs, the salt-box, &c.
The Crockery required will be : at least two large mix-
ing-bowls, holding not less than eight or ten quarts, and
intended for bread, cake, and many other purposes ; a
bowl with lip to pour from, and also a smaller-sized one
holding about two quarts ; half a dozen quart and pint
bowls ;
Half a dozen one- and two-quart round or oval pudding-
dishes or nappies ;
Several deep plates for use in putting awa}^ cold food ;
Blancmange-molds, three sizes ;
One large pitcher, also three-pint and quart sizes ;
Yeast-jar, or, what is better, two or three Mason's glass
cans, kept for yeast.
FIRES, LIGHTS, AND THINGS TO WORK WITH. 53
This list does not include any crockery for setting a
servant's table ; that being governed by the number kept,
and other considerations. Such dishes should be of
heavier ware than your own, as they are likely to receive
rougher handling ; but there should be a full supply- as one
means of teaching neatness.
Wooden-ware is essential in the shape of a nest of
boxes for rice, tapioca, &c. ; and wooden pails for sugar,
Graham-flour, &c. ; while you will gradually accumulate
many conveniences in the wa}^ of jars, stone pots for
pickling, demijohns, &c., which give the store-room, at
last, the expression dear to all thrifty housekeei^ers.
Scrubbing and water pails, scrubbing and blacking
brushes, soap-dishes, sand-box, knife-board, and neces-
sities in cleaning, must all find place, and, having found it,
keep it to the end ; absolute order and s^'stem being the
first condition of comfortable housekeeping.
54 WASRING-DAY, AND CLEANING IN GENERAL.
CHAPTER VI.
WASHING-DAY, AND CLEANING IN GENERAL.
WHY Monday should be fixed upon as washing-day,
is often questioned ; but, like many other appar-
ently arbitrary arrangements, its foundation is in common-
sense. Tuesday has its advantages also, soon to be men-
tioned ; but to any later period than Tuesday there are
serious objections. All clothing is naturally changed on
Sunday ; and, if washed before dirt has had time to hard-
en in the fiber of the cloth, the operation is much easier.
The German custom, happily passing away, of washing
only annually or semi-annuall}^ is both disgusting, and de-
structive to health and clothes ; the air of whatever room
such accumulations are stored in being poisoned, while
the clothes themselves are rubbed to pieces in the endeavor
to get out the long-seated dirt.
Page 26
Presented as published in 1881. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Four bread-tins, of best tin (or, better still, Russia iron) , the best size for which is ten inches long by four wide and four deep ; the loaf baked in such pan requiring less time, and giving a slice of just the right shape and size ;
Cake-tins of various shapes as desired, a set of small tins being desirable for little cakes.
A small sifter in basket shape will be found good for cake-making, and a larger one for bread ; and spices can be most conveniently kept in a spice-caster, which is a stand holding six or eight small labeled canisters. Near it can also be small tin boxes or glass cans for dried sweet herbs, the salt-box, &c.
The Crockery required will be : at least two large mixing-bowls, holding not less than eight or ten quarts, and intended for bread, cake, and many other purposes ; a bowl with lip to pour from, and also a smaller-sized one holding about two quarts ; half a dozen quart and pint bowls ;
Half a dozen one- and two-quart round or oval puddingdishes or nappies ;
Several deep plates for use in putting awa}^ cold food ;
Blancmange-molds, three sizes ;
One large pitcher, also three-pint and quart sizes ;
Yeast-jar, or, what is better, two or three Mason's glass cans, kept for yeast.
FIRES, LIGHTS, AND THINGS TO WORK WITH. 53
This list does not include any crockery for setting a servant's table ; that being governed by the number kept, and other considerations. Such dishes should be of heavier ware than your own, as they are likely to receive rougher handling ; but there should be a full supply- as one means of teaching neatness.
Wooden-ware is essential in the shape of a nest of boxes for rice, tapioca, &c. ; and wooden pails for sugar, Graham-flour, &c. ; while you will gradually accumulate many conveniences in the wa}^ of jars, stone pots for pickling, demijohns, &c., which give the store-room, at last, the expression dear to all thrifty housekeepers.
Scrubbing and water pails, scrubbing and blacking brushes, soap-dishes, sand-box, knife-board, and necessities in cleaning, must all find place, and, having found it, keep it to the end ; absolute order and system being the first condition of comfortable housekeeping.
CHAPTER VI.
WHY Monday should be fixed upon as washing-day, is often questioned ; but, like many other apparently arbitrary arrangements, its foundation is in commonsense. Tuesday has its advantages also, soon to be mentioned ; but to any later period than Tuesday there are serious objections. All clothing is naturally changed on Sunday ; and, if washed before dirt has had time to harden in the fiber of the cloth, the operation is much easier. The German custom, happily passing away, of washing only annually or semi-annuall}^ is both disgusting, and destructive to health and clothes ; the air of whatever room such accumulations are stored in being poisoned, while the clothes themselves are rubbed to pieces in the endeavor to get out the long-seated dirt.