How can an inexpensive heater be provided for a six- room house ? There is now a small hot air furnace cost- ing less than $100.00, which will heat six rooms comfort- ably, but one must see that fresh air is constantly sup- plied in the house, because the air for the heater is drawn from the living rooms, but no air from the cellar passes into the heating flues. It is not so hygienic as a furnace that receives air from outdoors, but it costs less, is better than heating with stoves, probably no more expensive, and much easier to take care of, as the coal and ashes are all in the cellar. Is it desirable to defer starting the furnace until very late in the fall ? No ; for the house becomes chilly and damp, and is uncomfortable as well as liable to cause colds and rheumatism. How can too much heat be avoided? By only shaking down the furnace enough to prevent the fire going out, and after putting on furnace coal, put a layer of fine pea coal over that. Can a fire be kept very low this way ? It can for days at a time, so there will be scarcely any heat; just enough to prevent chill and dampness. Where steam heat or a hot air furnace is used what must be done to prevent excessive dryness in the atmos- phere? A dish of water must be kept on the radiator, or a pail of water below the register grating, unless the furnace has a reservoir for water. Efficiency in Home Making 9 What harm will an excessively dry atmosphere do ? It will dry out the furniture, and injure it, and also affect the skin, hair, and lining of the nose and throat of the occupants of the house. It will predispose them to catar- rhal troubles. Can one judge of the proper temperature of a room by the feeling ? No ; the only safe way is to use a ther- mometer. What is considered the best temperature? 68°. What should be done to the heater when warm weather is assured? It should be thoroughly cleaned and put in readiness for fall. Why is it important to remove the soot from the smoke stack? It readily absorbes dampness, and the pipe will rust until it is only a thin sheet, and is liable to cause a disastrous fire, when used. The soot also gives off an unpleasant odor when damp. Dust should be cleaned from all flues in a hot air furnace. LIGHTING THE HOME. Why is electric light preferable to any other kind? It does not use any of the oxygen in the air ; every other kind does. What other important advantage has it? It does not give off any gases in burning as all other lights do. Is indirect lighting better than the direct? It is; it diffuses a soft light all over the room which is better for the eyes than a glaring light. The contrast between dark shadows and a glare of light in the room is bad for the eyes. Of course, there must be plenty of light to read or sew by, for it is a strain on the eyes and the nervous system also, to work in a poor light. Are Welsbach lights more economical ? Yes ; they in- crease the amount of light very much, so one burner will do the work of two or three. Where should a drop gas light be turned out? At the fixture above, for if the gas remains confined in the io Efficiency in Home Making tubing it will injure it, and is liable also to leak when not burning.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

How can an inexpensive heater be provided for a sixroom house ? There is now a small hot air furnace costing less than $100.00, which will heat six rooms comfortably, but one must see that fresh air is constantly supplied in the house, because the air for the heater is drawn from the living rooms, but no air from the cellar passes into the heating flues. It is not so hygienic as a furnace that receives air from outdoors, but it costs less, is better than heating with stoves, probably no more expensive, and much easier to take care of, as the coal and ashes are all in the cellar. Is it desirable to defer starting the furnace until very late in the fall ? No ; for the house becomes chilly and damp, and is uncomfortable as well as liable to cause colds and rheumatism. How can too much heat be avoided? By only shaking down the furnace enough to prevent the fire going out, and after putting on furnace coal, put a layer of fine pea coal over that. Can a fire be kept very low this way ? It can for days at a time, so there will be scarcely any heat; just enough to prevent chill and dampness. Where steam heat or a hot air furnace is used what must be done to prevent excessive dryness in the atmosphere? A dish of water must be kept on the radiator, or a pail of water below the register grating, unless the furnace has a reservoir for water. Efficiency in Home Making 9 What harm will an excessively dry atmosphere do ? It will dry out the furniture, and injure it, and also affect the skin, hair, and lining of the nose and throat of the occupants of the house. It will predispose them to catarrhal troubles. Can one judge of the proper temperature of a room by the feeling ? No ; the only safe way is to use a thermometer. What is considered the best temperature? 68°. What should be done to the heater when warm weather is assured? It should be thoroughly cleaned and put in readiness for fall. Why is it important to remove the soot from the smoke stack? It readily absorbes dampness, and the pipe will rust until it is only a thin sheet, and is liable to cause a disastrous fire, when used. The soot also gives off an unpleasant odor when damp. Dust should be cleaned from all flues in a hot air furnace. LIGHTING THE HOME. Why is electric light preferable to any other kind? It does not use any of the oxygen in the air ; every other kind does. What other important advantage has it? It does not give off any gases in burning as all other lights do. Is indirect lighting better than the direct? It is; it diffuses a soft light all over the room which is better for the eyes than a glaring light. The contrast between dark shadows and a glare of light in the room is bad for the eyes. Of course, there must be plenty of light to read or sew by, for it is a strain on the eyes and the nervous system also, to work in a poor light. Are Welsbach lights more economical ? Yes ; they increase the amount of light very much, so one burner will do the work of two or three. Where should a drop gas light be turned out? At the fixture above, for if the gas remains confined in the io Efficiency in Home Making tubing it will injure it, and is liable also to leak when not burning.

Efficiency in home-making and first-aid to good cooking