The Bed. — If it is necessary for two persons to occupy
the same room, each should have a separate bed. The best
beds are those of brass or iron. The simplicity with which
these beds are constructed makes it possible to keep them
almost dust-free, while the metal furnishes a cold welcome
to the bedroom pest, which the most careful housekeeping
cannot, in these days of public conveyances, prevent from
occasionally making its way into the house. The brass
beds are generally considered the more beautiful, but, be-
272 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
sides being more expensive, tliey require more care to keep
them bright, and are no more healthful than the iron ones.
The bed should have a woven wire spring, attached to an
iron frame in order that it may not sag. This spring should
be provided with a coarse cotton cover for top and sides, to
which should be attached tapes for keeping it in place.
Over the spring should come the mattress. The kind of
mattress used is a matter of personal choice. Hair mat-
tresses are, in many respects, the most desirable. An
objection to them, however, is that they are too yielding,
and do not support the body in the horizontal position most
conducive to healthful rest. An excellent combination may
be made by placing a thin hair or wool mattress over one of
harder material. It is best to have the heavier mattress, at
least, made in two parts for ease in turning. The mattress
should be encased in a cotton cloth to protect the tick.
Such a case should be washed two or three times a year.
The cleanliness of the bed depends much on the size of the
sheets. These should be three-quarters of a yard -longer
than the mattress, and as much wider. Blankets are better
than comforters, because they are more easily washed. All-
wool blankets are more beautiful, but are harder to Avash
and are no more healthful than those which are part cotton.
The counterpane should be of generous size and of some
washable material. Pillows should have removable cases
of white cloth over the tick, besides the pillow-slips.
Furnishings of the Dressing-table. — The dressing-table
should have a cover that can be easily laundered. Nothing
is more unlovely or more unhealthful than silk, velvet, or
woollen furnishings for a dressing-table. The hair receiver,
trays, and any other article forming part of the equipment
should be of metal or china. The latter is better, because
more easily cleaned.
Furnishings of the Washstand. — The washstand should
THE BEDROOM 273
be protected by a washable cover. The wall back of the
stand may be painted to match the decoration of the rest of
the room, or may be protected by a screen or cloth. The
pieces composing the toilet set should be of generous size,
the bowl broad and shallow, and the pitcher wide-mouthed.
Rugs and Draperies. — Upholstered furniture and woollen
draperies should never find their way into the bedroom. A
few rugs that can be easily shaken are not so inadmissible.
"Wool, however, is the best kind of a lurking-place for bad
odors, dust, and bacteria. If the walls of the bedroom are
of delicate color, the draperies and bed furnishings dainty,
the room can be made most attractive without a single
article in it which cannot be easily cleaned.
Page 131
Presented as published in 1900. 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
The Bed. — If it is necessary for two persons to occupy the same room, each should have a separate bed. The best beds are those of brass or iron. The simplicity with which these beds are constructed makes it possible to keep them almost dust-free, while the metal furnishes a cold welcome to the bedroom pest, which the most careful housekeeping cannot, in these days of public conveyances, prevent from occasionally making its way into the house. The brass beds are generally considered the more beautiful, but, besides being more expensive, they require more care to keep them bright, and are no more healthful than the iron ones. The bed should have a woven wire spring, attached to an iron frame in order that it may not sag. This spring should be provided with a coarse cotton cover for top and sides, to which should be attached tapes for keeping it in place. Over the spring should come the mattress. The kind of mattress used is a matter of personal choice. Hair mattresses are, in many respects, the most desirable. An objection to them, however, is that they are too yielding, and do not support the body in the horizontal position most conducive to healthful rest. An excellent combination may be made by placing a thin hair or wool mattress over one of harder material. It is best to have the heavier mattress, at least, made in two parts for ease in turning. The mattress should be encased in a cotton cloth to protect the tick. Such a case should be washed two or three times a year. The cleanliness of the bed depends much on the size of the sheets. These should be three-quarters of a yard -longer than the mattress, and as much wider. Blankets are better than comforters, because they are more easily washed. All-wool blankets are more beautiful, but are harder to wash and are no more healthful than those which are part cotton. The counterpane should be of generous size and of some washable material. Pillows should have removable cases of white cloth over the tick, besides the pillow-slips.
Furnishings of the Dressing-table. — The dressing-table should have a cover that can be easily laundered. Nothing is more unlovely or more unhealthful than silk, velvet, or woollen furnishings for a dressing-table. The hair receiver, trays, and any other article forming part of the equipment should be of metal or china. The latter is better, because more easily cleaned.
Furnishings of the Washstand. — The washstand should
be protected by a washable cover. The wall back of the stand may be painted to match the decoration of the rest of the room, or may be protected by a screen or cloth. The pieces composing the toilet set should be of generous size, the bowl broad and shallow, and the pitcher wide-mouthed.
Rugs and Draperies. — Upholstered furniture and woollen draperies should never find their way into the bedroom. A few rugs that can be easily shaken are not so inadmissible. "Wool, however, is the best kind of lurking-place for bad odors, dust, and bacteria. If the walls of the bedroom are of delicate color, the draperies and bed furnishings dainty, the room can be made most attractive without a single article in it which cannot be easily cleaned.