FoodNetArchive

The hearthstone; or, Life at home

1883

Page 189

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Hyacinths, Tulips, etc. — Hyacinths, tulips. Narcissus, and other so-called Dutch bulbs, that have been planted in boxes or potted in September or October, should by November i.st be well rooted ; see that they are well rooted before you put them in the light, and when they once start to grow, if in pots, see that they get plenty of water, as nothing will cause them to fail so easily as want of water just FLORICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. 289 when they are in their growing state, ready to bloom ; you may once in two weeks water them with a Hquid manure, or some of Bowker's ammoniated food for plants, dissolved in water; this is very invigorat- ing for them just at this time. Give them plenty of sun when they start to throw up the flowering stalk, and on warm days let them have fresh air. 19 THE LAUNDRY. " Cleanliness is next to godliness." EXT after good food one wants good washing, and a home that is poorly provided in this respect is lacking in a most essential feature. Sweet, clean clothes are a comfort, and the week's washing, folded in snowy heaps after a careful airing, is a restful sight to a housekeeper. To wash well is a gift, since there are many who try with all their strength to do it and fail. The qualification requisite is a taste for it, and appliances at hand with which to wash easily. Not all city homes are provided with stationar}^ tubs, wringers and other con- veniences, but where they are furnished the work is accomplished with greater speed and efficiency and the laundress is not tired out from the day's occupation. The work is the hardest, at best, that falls to women, and it should be made as easy as possible. It is the work that is always allotted to them, and where men are compelled to take any part in it, in large institutions for instance, all mechanical appliances that can be furnished are supplied to lighten the labor. Women take it as it comes, and do it under the most discouraging of conditions. If they know how to wash, knowledge makes it easier, but to a young beginner it is laborious, discouraging and depressing. There are directions without end as to how to wash, and no two are agreed. In every home there arc special ways of doing work, and each laundress has a plan of her own. To those who have no knowledge on the subject a few hints are offered below. Experience allied to neatness makes the best laundresses we have, and unless a (290) THE LAUNDRY. 29 1 woman is very tidy she will never make a good washer and cannot learn to like it. To iron well requires care and practice, but it is easier to learn to iron than to wash. The clothes once clean and ready to be ironed, the ironing seems a much less laborious under- taking, and it certainly can be done with less disarrangement of the room or the worker's attire.