As the laboratory of the home, its equipment and
care should be as complete as possible. A carpeted
combination of kitchen and sitting-room is not a wise
arrangement. There should not be any draperies or
furnishings in a kitchen which will absorb odors. The
floor should be of hardwood, stained or covered with
linoleum. The plumbing should be open. A range, table,
cupboard, a couple of chairs (one low, comfortable cliair),
are the only necessary articles of furniture required in a
kitchen.
Absolute cleanliness should be the watchword in
every well-regulated kitchen.
Bedrooms.
From the hygienic point of view there should be as
few furnishings as possible in a bedroom. A stained
floor, with rugs, or straw matting is more easily cleaned
than a carpet. Tlio furniture should be solid and with
good finish, but with as little onuun(»ntation as i)OHsiblo.
The most important article of bedroom furniture is the
mattress and springH. Better save in the cost of the
other fumituro and 8i>end it on the article wliicli is most
THE HOUSE AND ITS CARE. 121
conducive to comfort. The bed should be placed so as to
avoid a strong glare of light from the window. Wash-
able curtains and simple decorations are the most suitable
for bedrooms.
Bathroom.
The chief furniture of an ordinary bathroom should be.
in addition to the stationary necessaries, a chair, medicine
cabinet, towel rod or rack, and an abundant supply of
towels. A hardwood floor or covering of linoleum is the
most suitable for a bathroom.
Division of Work in the Home.
It is a difficult matter for those who have not had
special training to divide the work of the household so
as to get through the regular daily routine without
confusion and unnecessary exertion. Every housekeeper
should make out a plan of work, as well as of meals for
the week, always allowing for special duties. Habits of
order should be cultivated by every member of the
household, as carelessness and unpunctuality increase
the burden of the housekeeper, and make it difficult to
follow any system of order.
The following order may serve as a basis upon which
to arrange a division of work where the family is limited
in number to not more than four.
Rise at least one hour before the serving of breakfast.
First, make the kitchen fire and put range in order (see
page 9). Rinse and fill the tea kettle (allow the water
to run for some minutes before filling kettle). While
waiting for the water to boil sweep off the front and
back steps, porch, etc. When the water has boiled
prepare the cereal ; put the table dishes to heat ; air and
122 DOMESTIC SCIENCE.
dust the dining-room and set the table. Prepare and
serve the breakfast.
After breakfast see that the various rooms are aired,
take the clothes off the beds and spread over chairs so
as to allow the air to reach every part. Turn the
mattresses and leave the room to air at least an hour.
Page 53
Presented as published in 1905. 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
As the laboratory of the home, its equipment and care should be as complete as possible. A carpeted combination of kitchen and sitting-room is not a wise arrangement. There should not be any draperies or furnishings in a kitchen which will absorb odors. The floor should be of hardwood, stained or covered with linoleum. The plumbing should be open. A range, table, cupboard, a couple of chairs (one low, comfortable chair), are the only necessary articles of furniture required in a kitchen.
Absolute cleanliness should be the watchword in every well-regulated kitchen.
Bedrooms.
From the hygienic point of view there should be as few furnishings as possible in a bedroom. A stained floor, with rugs, or straw matting is more easily cleaned than a carpet. Tlio furniture should be solid and with good finish, but with as little ornamentation as possible. The most important article of bedroom furniture is the mattress and springs. Better save in the cost of the other furniture and spend it on the article which is most
conducive to comfort. The bed should be placed so as to avoid a strong glare of light from the window. Washable curtains and simple decorations are the most suitable for bedrooms.
Bathroom.
The chief furniture of an ordinary bathroom should be. in addition to the stationary necessaries, a chair, medicine cabinet, towel rod or rack, and an abundant supply of towels. A hardwood floor or covering of linoleum is the most suitable for a bathroom.
Division of Work in the Home.
It is a difficult matter for those who have not had special training to divide the work of the household so as to get through the regular daily routine without confusion and unnecessary exertion. Every housekeeper should make out a plan of work, as well as of meals for the week, always allowing for special duties. Habits of order should be cultivated by every member of the household, as carelessness and unpunctuality increase the burden of the housekeeper, and make it difficult to follow any system of order.
The following order may serve as a basis upon which to arrange a division of work where the family is limited in number to not more than four.
Rise at least one hour before the serving of breakfast. First, make the kitchen fire and put range in order (see page 9). Rinse and fill the tea kettle (allow the water to run for some minutes before filling kettle). While waiting for the water to boil sweep off the front and back steps, porch, etc. When the water has boiled prepare the cereal ; put the table dishes to heat ; air and
dust the dining-room and set the table. Prepare and serve the breakfast.
After breakfast see that the various rooms are aired, take the clothes off the beds and spread over chairs so as to allow the air to reach every part. Turn the mattresses and leave the room to air at least an hour.