Laundry. — For the laimdry all that is really needed is a bench long enough to hold two or three tubs, a stool or short bench for the tub that should be placed near the stove ; one or two chairs ; a solid table ; and an ironing board to stretch either from chair to chair, or from the back of one chair to the table. The smaller articles necessary are 5, 6, and 7 lb. irons, two polishing irons, iron stands, shirt and sleeve boards, one two-quart agate saucepan, dishpan, long spoon, pail, small round boiler, clothes stick, washboard, lai'ge dipper, blanket sheet, iron holder. The light tubs, costing about 50 cents each, are better than those that are heavier and more expensive. They will last about as long and are not too heavy to lift. In furnishing a school laundry, or school kitchen, light-weight small things are better than large and unwieldy ones, which are not easily handled by the students. Things should be cooked in such small quantities in a school that only small utensils are needed. Laundry Table. — The laundry table can be made either by the students, of a large box, or by a carpenter. If made by the students, a large box should be used, shelves placed in it, 2d 402 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE and a curtain hung across the front. The writer has such a table made by a carpenter. The top is of heavy wood hav- ing solid ends, with a partition running through the centre from end to end. The sides are divided into compartments with shelves. One or more of the compartments having no shelves are used for larger articles, as long bottles, basket, wringer. The compartments serve as a closet in which all small articles common to a laundry can be kept ; also the clothes which the girls have washed and which they will iron during their next lesson. If the stove is large enough, part of the girls can iron while the others are washing. Two gas stoves can be used in the laundry : one large enough to put a round wash-boiler upon it; or a double stove would be better, as it would allow room for the kettle at the same time the boiler is on; and another stove, with an attach- ment for irons, for the girl who irons the articles which have been washed during the previous lesson. Brush Box. — ■ A very convenient box for dustpans, brushes, etc., can be made by using a box with a lid, as a varnish or cracker box, sandpapering, oiling, and varnishing; or by putting on several coats of paint. It is better to simply oil with crude oil the tops of tables and benches and any sur- faces that are to be used for work where hot water or grease is liable to be spilled, or such as have to be washed frequently. No filling or varnish should be put in the oil. In a room divided as this would be, large classes would be impracticable. It is well to have the pupils alternate in their work from lesson to lesson. Let those who cook the small lunch to-day set the table and take charge of the dining room in the next lesson ; so with the bedroom and laundry. As unused things will grow soiled from handling and dust, there will be plenty of chance to use the laundry for the ordinary linen of a household. This arrangement TO TUKN A SCHOOLROOM INTO A WORKSHOP 403 will allow several girls for each room, and also give them a chance to do some sewing, as keeping up the stock of towels, bed linen, etc.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Laundry. — For the laundry all that is really needed is a bench long enough to hold two or three tubs, a stool or short bench for the tub that should be placed near the stove ; one or two chairs ; a solid table ; and an ironing board to stretch either from chair to chair, or from the back of one chair to the table. The smaller articles necessary are 5, 6, and 7 lb. irons, two polishing irons, iron stands, shirt and sleeve boards, one two-quart agate saucepan, dishpan, long spoon, pail, small round boiler, clothes stick, washboard, lai'ge dipper, blanket sheet, iron holder. The light tubs, costing about 50 cents each, are better than those that are heavier and more expensive. They will last about as long and are not too heavy to lift. In furnishing a school laundry, or school kitchen, light-weight small things are better than large and unwieldy ones, which are not easily handled by the students. Things should be cooked in such small quantities in a school that only small utensils are needed. Laundry Table. — The laundry table can be made either by the students, of a large box, or by a carpenter. If made by the students, a large box should be used, shelves placed in it, 2d and a curtain hung across the front. The writer has such a table made by a carpenter. The top is of heavy wood having solid ends, with a partition running through the centre from end to end. The sides are divided into compartments with shelves. One or more of the compartments having no shelves are used for larger articles, as long bottles, basket, wringer. The compartments serve as a closet in which all small articles common to a laundry can be kept ; also the clothes which the girls have washed and which they will iron during their next lesson. If the stove is large enough, part of the girls can iron while the others are washing. Two gas stoves can be used in the laundry : one large enough to put a round wash-boiler upon it; or a double stove would be better, as it would allow room for the kettle at the same time the boiler is on; and another stove, with an attachment for irons, for the girl who irons the articles which have been washed during the previous lesson. Brush Box. — A very convenient box for dustpans, brushes, etc., can be made by using a box with a lid, as a varnish or cracker box, sandpapering, oiling, and varnishing; or by putting on several coats of paint. It is better to simply oil with crude oil the tops of tables and benches and any surfaces that are to be used for work where hot water or grease is liable to be spilled, or such as have to be washed frequently. No filling or varnish should be put in the oil. In a room divided as this would be, large classes would be impracticable. It is well to have the pupils alternate in their work from lesson to lesson. Let those who cook the small lunch to-day set the table and take charge of the dining room in the next lesson ; so with the bedroom and laundry. As unused things will grow soiled from handling and dust, there will be plenty of chance to use the laundry for the ordinary linen of a household. This arrangement will allow several girls for each room, and also give them a chance to do some sewing, as keeping up the stock of towels, bed linen, etc.

Handbook of domestic science and household arts for use in elementary schools