Foods and home making

kitchen tables have wooden tops. Linoleum, which has proved so satisfactory for kitchen floors, has also proved to be a fine covering for a wooden-topped table. Linoleum prevents dish breakage and clatter and is easy to clean. The linoleum may be cut the size of the table top, then cemented to the wood and bordered with a metal band. Before using, liquid floor wax should be applied to the linoleum. To fill the spaces of the cover- ing, several applications of wax should follow at short intervals. 152 Modern Housewifery Sheet plastic material and linoleum — either plain or marble- ized in design — are suitable for table tops. Since these mate- rials come in a variety of colors, it is possible to select a color that harmonizes with other colors used in decorating a kitchen. Linoleum can be used to cover also the drain boards of a sink. When used for this purpose, the linoleum can extend up the wall, thus eliminating a crevice in which dirt can collect. Baked-enamel table tops are easy to clean and pleasing in appearance. They have, however, a hard surface and are more expensive than wooden tops. Acid foods should not come in contact with enamel table tops. What about cupboards? WTien you want to get a staple food from the kitchen cupboard, do you find its container in the back row? If so, you have to move other containers in order to get the one you want. Such an arrangement is not efficient. A cupboard shelf is ideal for food containers, if it is just deep enough to hold one row. If space does not permit enough shelf room, shelves for holding utensils may be deeper. Often the distance between cupboard shelves is greater than it need be. Cupboards with shallow shelves, placed closer together, would prove more convenient. The distance between cupboard shelves should be planned with care. The shelf containing the sugar canister needs greater depth than the one holding the spice jars. Shall cupboard shelves be left open or closed with doors? If desired, covered containers may be placed on open shelves. Then there are no doors to open and close, or to stand in one’s way when left ajar. On the other hand, some persons like the appearance of a kitchen which has all shelves covered. In case a cover is desired, a window shade on a roller may be hung so as to screen the shelves. WTien the shade is rolled up there is nothing to obstruct access to the shelves. A curtain easily opened and closed by means of cords operated with a pulley, may be hung over cupboard shelves. (See Figure 50.) Metal rings are sewed to each curtain. The rings are mounted on rod A. At each end of the rod is a pulley fixture shown at B and C. A cord is passed through the rings and through the pulleys. The cord is tied in a knot to the two center rings shown at D and E. This makes it possible to open and close the curtains. Pulling one end of the cord F opens the curtains ; pulling the other end closes them. If one has open cupboard shelves and wishes to cover them, such a curtain is easily arranged. 153 154 Modern Housewifery For storing utensils, shelves provided with doors are perhaps more satisfactory than open shelves, since the doors keep out more dust. Enamel or lacquer paint makes a good finish for the shelves. Because a painted surface is easily cleaned, there is usually no need of placing paper on the shelves.