FoodNet

Public school household science

1905

Page 58

Presented as published in 1905. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
6. Wear a dust cap when sweeping. 7. When tasting food, take up a little of the food on the mixing spoon, then put it on the teaspoon, from which it should be tasted. 8. Cultivate systematic order of work. 9. Before beginning to cook see that the fire is so arranged as to be ready when required. 10. Have all material at hand — flour sifted, measured, etc. Arrange spoons and other dishes, that will be needed, in the most convenient place. 11. In measuring use the cup or spoon for measuring dry materials first, then the liquids, thereby using only one spoon or cup for measuring purposes. 132 DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 12. Use an earthen bowl and wooden spoon for all cake and batter mixtures. 13. Cover and replace baking powder tin, sugar, flour and spice boxes as soon as the required quantity has been taken from them. By doing this the kitchen is not disordered, and time is saved. 14. Put dishes to soak as soon as emptied, and wash while watching the oven. 15. Plan work so as to save steps, time and fuel. 1 CHAPTER XVI. Laundry "Work. As the first essential of laundry work is a plentiful supply of water, a word concerning that necessary article may not be out of place. Pure water is a chemical com- pound of hydrogen and oxygen. It has great absorbent and solvent powers, therefore pure water is seldom found. The first fall of any shower is mixed with the impurities of the air; among these may be acids, ammonia and carbon in the form of soot and creosote. It is these impurities which cause the stain left when rain water stands on the window-sill or other finished wood. Rain water absorbs more or less carbon dioxide from various sources, and soaking into the soil often comes in contact with lime, magnesia and other compound. Water satur- ated with carbon dioxide will dissolve these substances, forming carbonates or other salts which are soluble ; such water is known as " hard." Water for domestic uses is called either " hard " or " soft," according to the amount of salts which it may contain. When soap is added to hard water, the new compound formed by the union of the lime with the fatty acid of the soap is insoluble, and is deposited upon the surface of any article with which it comes in contact. It is much better to soften hard water by the addition of alkalies, ammonia or sal-soda before using for laundry purposes than to depend entirely upon soap for cleansing. Another important material used in the laundry is soap. In purchasing soap, it is well to choose the make of some 133 134 DOMESTIC SCIENCE.