,frontispiece3 ,a #c1djj ,house4 ,the ,,complete ,,home ,,edited ,,by ,,clara ,e4 ,,laughlin ,d4 ,,appleton ,,and ,,company ,,new ,,york #aijg ,copyright1 #aijf1 by ,d4 ,,appleton ,,and ,,company ,published ,november1 #aijf ,,contents ,,chapter ,i ,,choosing ,a ,,place ,,to ,,live ,by ,,oliver ,r4 ,,williamson ,taste and expedience--,responsibilities--,renting1 buying or building--,location--,city or country--,renunciations--,schools and churches--,transportation--,the butcher1 the baker1 and the candlestick maker--,the home acre--,comparative cost in renting--,the location sense--,size of lot--,position--,outlook and inlook--,trees--,income and expenditure--,style--,size--,plans for building--,necessary rooms--,the sick room--,room to entertain--,the living room--,the dining room and kitchen--,the sleeping rooms--,thinking it out ,,chapter ,,ii ,,floors1 ,,walls1 ,,and ,,windows ,by ,,oliver ,r4 ,,williamson ,the necessity of good floors--,material and cost of laying--,ornamental flooring--,waxed1 varnished1 and oiled floors--,carpets1 linoleum1 and mats--,the stairway--,rugs--,oriental rugs--,kitchen and upper floors--,matting and cardoman cloth--,uses of the decorator--,wood in decoration--,panels and plaster--,the beamed ceiling--,paint1 paper1 and calcimine--,shades and curtains--,leaded panes and casements--,storm windows ,,chapter ,,iii ,,lighting ,,and ,,heating ,by ,,oliver ,r4 ,,williamson ,necessity of sunlight--,kerosene--,gas and matches--,electric light--,pleasing arrangement--,adaptability--,protection- -,regulated light--,the two sure ways of heating--,the hot-air furnace--,direction of heat--,registers--,hot water and steam heat--,indirect heating--,summary ,,chapter ,,iv ,,furniture ,by ,,oliver ,r4 ,,williamson ,the quest of the beautiful--,ancient designs--,the ,arts and ,crafts--,mission furniture--,comfort1 aesthetic and physical--,older models in furniture--,mahogany and oak--,substantiality--,superfluity--,hal l furniture--,the family chairs--,the table--,the davenport--,bookcases--,sundries--,willo w furniture--,the dining table--,discrimination in choice ,,chapter ,v ,,household ,,linen ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,linen1 past and present--,bleached and half-bleached--,damask--,quality--,desig n--,price and size--,necessary supply--,plain1 hemstitched1 or drawn--,doilies and table dressing--,centerpieces--,monograms--,ca re of table linen--,how to launder--,table pads--,ready-made bed linen--,price and quality--,real linen--,suggestions about towels ,,chapter ,,vi ,,the ,,kitchen ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,the plan--,location and finish--,the floor--,the windows--,the sink--,the pantry--,insects and their extermination--,the refrigerator and its care--,furnishing the kitchen--,the stove--,the table and its care--,the chairs--,the kitchen cabinet--,kitchen utensils ,,chapter ,,vii ,,the ,,laundry ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,laundry requisites--,the stove and furnishings--,irons and holders--,preparing the wash--,removing stains--,soaking and washing--,washing powders and soap--,washing woolens--,washing the white clothes--,starch--,colored clothes--,stockings--,dainty laundering--,how to wash silk--,washing blankets--,washing curtains--,tidying up and sprinkling--,care of irons--,how to iron ,,chapter ,,viii ,,table ,,furnishings ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,dining-room cheer--,stocking the china-cupboard--,the groundwork--,course sets--,odd pieces--,silver and plate--,glass--,arrangement--,duties of the waitress--,the breakfast table--,luncheon--,dinner--,the formal dinner--,the formal luncheon--,washing glass--,washing and cleaning silver--,how to wash china--,care of knives ,,chapter ,,ix ,,the ,,bedroom ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,light and air--,carpets versus rugs--,mattings--,wall covering--,bedroom woodwork--,bedroom draperies--,bedroom furnishing--,careful selection--,toilet and dressing tables--,further comforts--,the bedstead--,spring1 mattress1 and pillows--,bed decoration--,simplicity--,care of bedroom and bed--,vermin and their extermination ,,chapter ,x ,,the ,,bath ,,room ,by ,,oliver ,r4 ,,williamson ,plumbing--,bath room location and furnishing--,the tub--,the lavatory--,the closet--,hot water and how to get it--,bath room fittings ,,chapter ,,xi ,,cellar1 ,,attic1 ,,and ,,closets ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,the cellar floor--,ventilation--,the partitioned cellar--,order in the cellar--,shelves and closets--,the attic--,order and care of attic--,closets--,the linen closet--,clothes closets--,the china closet--,closet tightness--,closet furnishings--,care of closets and contents ,,chapter ,,xii ,,hangings1 ,,bric-,a-,,brac1 ,,books1 ,,and ,,pictures ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,the charm of drapery--,curtains--,portires--,bric-a-b rac--,the growth of good taste--,usefulness with beauty--,considerations in buying--,books--,their selection--,sets--,binding--,paper--,pic tures--,art sense--,the influence of pictures--,oil paintings--,engravings and photographs--,suitability of subjects--,hanging of pictures ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,the ,,nice ,,machinery ,,of ,,housekeeping ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,monday--,tuesday--,wednesday--,thursday --,friday--,saturday--,house cleaning--,preparation--,cleaning draperies1 rugs1 carpets--,cleaning mattings and woodwork--,cleaning beds ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,hired ,,help ,by ,,sarah ,,cory ,,rippey ,the general housemaid--,how to select a maid--,questions and answers--,agreements--,the maid's leisure time--,dress and personal neatness--,carelessness--,the maid's room--,how to train a maid--,the daily routine--,duties of cook and nurse--,servant's company ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations ,a #c1djj ,house4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,frontispiece ,a ,unique ,arrangement of the ,porch ,a ,homelike ,living ,room ,an ,attractive and ,inexpensive ,hall ,an ,artistic ,staircase ,hall ,an ,oriental ,rug of ,good ,design3 ,shirvan ,good ,examples of ,chippendale and ,old ,walnut ,a ,chippendale ,secretary ,the ,dining ,room ,the ,kitchen ,the ,laundry ,wedgwood ,pottery1 and ,silver of ,antique ,design ,a ,collection of ,eighteenth-century ,cut ,glass ,the ,bedroom ,the ,bathroom ,the ,drawing-room ,,the ,,complete ,,home ,,chapter ,i ,,choosing ,a ,,place ,,to ,,live ,blessed indeed are they who are free to choose where and how they shall live4 ,still more blessed are they who give abundant thought to their choice1 for they may not wear the sackcloth of discomfort nor scatter the ashes of burned money4 ,,taste ,,and ,,expedience ,most of us have a theory of what the home should be1 but it is stowed away with the wedding gifts of fine linen that are cherished for our permanent abode4 ,we believe in harmony of surroundings1 but after living1 within a period of ten years or so1 in seven different apartments with seven different arrangements of rooms and seven different schemes of decoration1 we lose interest in suiting one thing to another4 ,harmony comes to mean simply good terms with the janitor4 ,or if 7being beginners7 we have some such prospect of nomadic living facing us1 and we are at all knowing1 we realize the utter helplessness of demonstrating our good taste1 purchase any bits of furniture that a vagrant fancy may fasten upon1 and give space to whatever gimcracks our friends may foist upon us1 trusting that in the whirligig of removals the plush rocker1 the mission table1 and the brass parlor stand may each find itself in harmony with something else at one time or another4 ,some day we shall be freed from the tyranny of these conditions and then----6 ,,responsibilities ,but when the time comes to declare our independence of landlord and janitor1 or at least to exchange existence in a flat for life in a rented cottage1 we find that freedom brings some perplexing responsibilities as well as its blessings4 ,even if our hopes do not soar higher than the rented house1 there is at least the desire for a reasonable permanency1 and we have no longer the excuse of custom-bred transitoriness to plead for our lack of plan4 ,where the home is to be purchased for our very own the test of our individuality becomes more exacting4 ,a house has character1 and some of the standards that apply to companionship apply to it4 ,in fact1 we live with it1 as well as in it4 ,and if we have a saving conscience as to the immeasurability of home by money standards we are not to be tempted by the veriest bargain of a house that does not nearly represent our ideals4 ,to blunder here is to topple over our whole ,castle of ,hope4 ,,renting1 ,,buying ,,or ,,building ,but the test is most severe of all when good fortune permits us to choose locality1 site1 and building plans1 and to finish and furnish the house to suit our tastes1 even though less in accordance with our full desires than with our modest means4 ,now we may bring out our theory of living from its snug resting place4 ,it will need some furbishing up1 maybe1 to meet modern conditions1 but never mind6 ,whether we mean to rent1 to buy1 or to build1 the problem of where and what and how is before us4 ,as folk of wholesome desires1 we insist first of all upon good taste1 comfort1 and healthfulness in our habitats2 and since we may agree upon the best way to attain these essentials without ignoring our personal preferences in details1 we may profitably take counsel together as to what the new home should be4 ,,location ,thought of a location should begin with the birth of the home idea1 even if the purchase-money be not immediately available4 ,we should not only take sufficient time to study conditions and scheme carefully for the home1 but must sagaciously bear in mind that where real estate is in active demand anxiety to purchase stiffens prices4 ,to bide one's time may mean a considerable saving4 ,however1 life1 as we plan now to live it1 is short enough at most1 and we should not cheat ourselves out of too much immediate happiness by waiting for the money-saving opportunity4 ,the question of neighborhood1 if we decide to remain within city limits1 is a difficult one4 ,in most of the larger places no one can accurately foretell the future of even the most attractive residence district4 ,factories and business houses may not obtrude1 but flats are almost sure to come4 ,few cottages are being constructed in cities1 partly because of lack of demand1 but principally because they do not pay sufficient income on the investment4 ,consequently the houses that are to be had are seldom modern4 ,sometimes they pass into the hands of careless tenants and the neighborhood soon shows deterioration4 ,still1 if we are determined to remain in the city and take our chances1 it is possible by careful investigation to discover congenial surroundings4 ,many of the essential tests of the suburban home that we shall discuss hereafter will apply also to the house in a strictly residence district of a large city2 practically all of them to the house in a smaller town4 ,,city ,,or ,,country ,the chances are1 however1 that we shall choose the suburb4 ,but before we desert ,j #gb1 or whatever our shelf in the apartment building may be1 we may well remind ourselves that we are also to desert some of the things that have made city life enjoyable4 ,for one thing1 with all our growling at the landlord1 we have been able to cast upon him many burdens that we are now to take upon ourselves4 ,some of our sarcasms are quite certain to come home to roost4 ,the details of purchasing fuel1 of maintaining heat1 of making repairs1 are now to come under our jurisdiction1 and we shall see whether we manage these duties better than the man who is paid a lump sum to assume them4 ,,renunciations ,living in a flat1 or even in a city house1 we do not know1 nor care to know1 who the people above or next door to us may be2 and they are in precisely the same position with regard to us4 ,mere adjacency gives us no claim upon their acquaintance1 nor does it put us at the mercy of their insistence4 ,our calling list is not governed by locality1 and we can cut it as we wish without embarrassment4 ,choice is not so easy in the suburb4 ,there1 willynilly1 we must know our neighbors and be known by them4 ,fortunately1 in most instances they will be found to be of the right sort1 if not fully congenial4 ,the theater1 too1 must become rather a red-letter diversion than a regular feature of our existence1 if it has been so4 ,whatever enthusiasm we may possess for the opera1 an occasional visit1 with its midnight return1 will soon come to satisfy us4 ,our pet lectures1 club life1 participation in public affairs1 frequent mail delivery1 convenience of shopping1 two-minute car service1 and freedom from time tables--these suggest what we have to put behind us when we pass the city gates4 ,it is also the part of wisdom not to forget that1 though the country is alive with delights for us when all nature is garbed in green and the songbirds carol in the elms and maples1 there cometh a time--if we are of the north--when fur caps are in season1 the coal scoop is in every man's hand1 the snow shovel splintereth1 and the lawn mower is at rest4 ,then it is that our allegiance to country life will be strained1 if ever--particularly if we have provided ourselves with a ten-minute walk to the station4 ,wading through snow against a winter wind1 we see the agreeable constitutional of the milder days in a different light4 ,we should think of all these things1 and of some sacrifices purely personal4 ,it is better to think now than after the moving man's bill has come in4 ,reason as we may1 regrets will come1 perhaps loneliness4 ,but the compensations1 if we have chosen wisely1 will be increasingly apparent1 and we shall be the very exceptions of exceptions if1 before the second summer has passed1 we are not wedded beyond divorce to the new home4 ,once determined upon forswearing urban residence1 a multitude of considerations arise4 ,first of these is ,which place8 ,our suburban towns have been developed in two ways4 ,some are made to order1 while others were originally rural villages but have come under metropolitan influence4 ,living in the latter is likely to be less expensive1 and local life may have more of a distinctive character2 but the husk of the past is almost certain to be evident in the mixture of old and modern houses and in a certain offish separation of the native and incoming elements4 ,the made-to-order town is likely to exhibit better streets and sidewalks1 to be more capably cared for1 to be freer from shanties1 and to possess no saloons4 ,land and living may demand greater expenditure1 but they will be worth the difference4 ,,schools ,,and ,,churches ,with ninety-nine out of a hundred families the deciding argument in favor of going to the suburb has just got into short dresses and begun to say ,da-da4 ,already we see pointings to the childish activities that we would not check4 ,no one who stops to think about it chooses to have his children play in the city streets or be confined to a flat during the open months4 ,for the children's sake1 if not for our own1 we turn to the country1 and one of our first thoughts is for the children's school4 ,i called on a young business acquaintance recently and found him engrossed in examining a pile of college catalogues4 ,going in for a post-grad8 ,i inquired4 ,why1 haven't you heard8 he responded4 ,it's a boy--week ago ,saturday4 ,er--would you say ,yale or ,harvard8 ,this was preparedness with a vengeance1 to be sure2 but almost before we realize that infancy is past1 the boy and girl will be ready for school1 and it is important to know that the right school will be ready for them4 ,happily1 the suburban school is usually of special excellence1 and the chief thought must be of distance and whether the children will need to cross dangerous railroad tracks4 ,we shall1 of course1 wish to be where there are strong churches1 with a society of our chosen denomination1 if possible4 ,it may be that the social life which has its center there will provide all the relaxation we require2 if we seek outside circles1 it is desirable to know whether we are likely to please and be pleased4 ,always there is the suburban club2 but not always is the suburban club representative of the really best people of the town4 ,,transportation ,on the practical side a question of large importance is that of transportation4 ,the fast trains may make the run in twenty minutes1 but we shall not always catch the fast trains1 and the others may take forty4 ,morning and evening they should be so frequent that we need not lose a whole hour on a miss4 ,in stormy weather we must find shelter in the station1 comfortable or uncomfortable4 ,on the husband's monthly ticket the rides may cost only a dime2 when the wife and her visiting friends go to the matine each punch counts for a quarter1 and four quarters make a dollar4 ,to the time of the train must be added the walk or ride from the downtown station to the office1 and the return walk from the home station4 ,a near-by electric line for emergencies may sometimes save an appointment4 ,none of these things alone will probably give pause to our plans1 but all will weigh in our general satisfaction or disagreement with suburban life4 ,,the ,,butcher1 ,,the ,,baker1 ,,and ,,the ,,candle-,,stick ,,maker ,not every suburb is blessed with a perfectly healthful water supply4 ,we must make sure of that4 ,we want to find stores and markets sufficient to our smaller needs1 at least1 and to be within city delivery bounds1 so that the man of the house shall not be required to make of himself a beast of burden4 ,we hope1 if we must employ a cook1 that the milkman1 iceman1 and grocery boy will prove acceptable to her1 for the policeman is sure to be a dignified native of family4 ,we want the telephone without a prohibitive toll1 electric light and gas of good quality at reasonable rates1 streets paved and well cared for1 sidewalks of cement1 reasonable fire and police protection1 a progressive community spirit1 and a reputation for our town that will make us proud to name it as our place of abode4 ,,the ,,home ,,acre ,all these things may be had in scores of ,american suburbs and smaller cities4 ,but when we have selected the one or more towns that may please us1 and get down to the house or lot1 our range of choice will be found rather narrow4 ,in the neighborhoods we would select1 it is probable that few houses are to be rented4 ,most of them have been built for occupancy by their owners1 who1 if forced to go elsewhere1 have preferred selling to renting4 ,there is no prejudice against renters1 but the sentiment is against renting1 and this sentiment is well grounded in common sense4 ,still1 some families find it advisable to rent for a year or so1 meanwhile studying the local conditions and selecting a building site4 ,this plan has much to commend it1 though it makes a second move necessary4 ,others1 who do not feel assured that a change in business will not compel an early removal1 wisely prefer to rent1 if a suitable house can be found for what they can afford to pay4 ,,comparative ,,cost ,,in ,,renting ,the proportion of income that may be set aside for rent depends on what that payment covers4 ,in a steam-heated city flat with complete janitor service1 for instance1 the rent at #dj is really no higher than the #be suburban house1 for heat and water rent are included4 ,with the former1 perhaps as much as a third of one's income could be spared for the fixed charge of rent2 but in the country the proportion cannot with safety be greater than a fifth4 ,few satisfactory suburban houses can be rented under #ce1 and to this must be added the cost not only of coal and water1 but of maintenance4 ,on the whole1 we are pretty sure to decide that it is better and cheaper to buy than to rent4 ,,the ,,location ,,sense ,there is some advantage in being able to secure a lot in a square already built up4 ,if present conditions are satisfactory we may feel reasonably sure that they will remain so4 ,we know who our neighbors are to be1 the sort of houses and other improvements that will affect the sightliness and value of our own property1 and the surroundings that should in some degree govern the style of our abode4 ,there is little of the speculative in such a choice1 but we shall have to pay something extra for our assurances4 ,in a well built-up town1 however1 we are likely to find a more eligible natural site at less cost if we are not too insistent upon being close to the railway station4 ,the best sites in the older sections are already occupied or are held at a premium4 ,if we have an eye for location and the courage of our convictions1 we may chance upon an excellent lot that can be had for a comparatively small price because of its detachment4 ,it may be so situated that the approach is through the choicest part of the village1 affording us much of the charm of suburban life without additional cost4 ,provided sewer1 water1 light1 sidewalks1 and paving are in1 a little greater distance from the center may be well repaid by the beauty of the site1 and after the family becomes accustomed to it the distance is scarcely noticed4 ,where there are telephones and local delivery of mail and groceries1 occasions for going uptown are not frequent4 ,,size ,,of ,,lot ,the lot should have at least #ej foot frontage2 and be from #aej to #bjj feet in depth4 ,many subdivisions are now platted without alleys1 which are not desirable unless scrupulously maintained4 ,the site should1 if practicable1 be on a plateau or elevation that gives an outlook1 or at least make natural drainage certain4 ,a lot below street level means expensive filling to be done4 ,,position ,there can be little question as to the special desirability of an east frontage4 ,with this exposure the morning sunlight falls upon the living room when least in use1 while the afternoon glare finds the principal work of the kitchen accomplished4 ,the indispensable veranda on the east and south is also usable for a maximum portion of the day1 while the more solid side of the structure1 being opposed to the prevailing winter winds1 makes the heating problem easier4 ,illustration3 ,a unique arrangement of the porch4 ,,outlook ,,and ,,inlook ,though we should not pay too much premium for an east front1 it is always most salable1 and the difference will come back if we should dispose of the property later4 ,outlook and protection against being shut in should be assured4 ,our own property may be gilt edge1 but if the man across the way has backed up a barn or chicken yard in front of us our joy in life will be considerably lessened4 ,our home is both to look at and to look out from1 and we do more of the latter than of the former4 ,there are only two ways to make sure of not being shut in1 unless the adjacent lots are already improved4 ,these are to buy enough ground to give space on either side1 or to secure a corner4 ,sometimes a corner at a higher price is the cheaper in the end4 ,certainly it is advisable1 even though our own house be not high-priced1 to discover if there is a building restriction to prevent the erection of cheap structures near by4 ,this is regulated usually by a stipulation in the deeds from the original subdivider4 ,without this guaranty even a high price for lots does not insure that some fellow who has put most of his money into the ground may not put up a woodshed next door and live in it until he can build a house4 ,we shall not find it amiss either1 to know something of the character of the owners of the adjoining property1 for if they are real-estate men there is a probability of their putting up houses built to sell4 ,non-resident owner may be expected to allow their vacant lots to remain unkempt and to object to all improvement assessments4 ,,trees ,trees on the lot are a valuable asset1 though dislike for sacrificing them1 if carried too far1 may result in shutting out the sunlight that is more essential than shade to health4 ,cottonwood1 willows1 and even the pretty catalpa are to be shunned in the interest of tidiness4 ,on a #ej- or even #ajj-;foot lot we cannot have many trees without overshadowing the house4 ,a few away from the building1 not crowded together1 will give more satisfaction than a grove and be less a detriment to health4 ,ordinarily grass will not grow to advantage where there is much shade2 and a beautiful lawn1 though open to the sunlight1 is not only more attractive but much more serviceable than ground in heavy shadow and covered with sparse grass4 ,,income ,,and ,,expenditure ,prices of vacant property in different sections vary so greatly that one cannot safely approximate the cost of a building lot4 ,it is safe to say1 though1 that if values are figured on a proper basis1 a satisfactory site for a moderate-priced home can be purchased for #a1jjj in the town of our choice4 ,we have made it clear to ourselves that a home--anyone's home--should be much more than a house plumped down upon any bit of ground that will hold it4 ,when we come to consider the house itself1 we are confronted by the knowledge that here the tastes and habits1 as well as the size and resources of the family1 must govern the decision of many problems considered4 ,numbers alone are not always a fair guide1 for sometimes the man or the woman of the house1 or the baby1 counts for much more than one in figuring space requirements4 ,we have in mind here that we are a family of four1 that we have an income of from #a1ejj to #b1ejj1 and that we are prepared to spend or obligate ourselves to spend from #b1jjj to #c1ejj for a house to go on a lot to cost #a1jjj4 ,the house we think of would be not too large for two and certainly would comfortably accommodate five or even six1 depending upon their relations to one another4 ,the extremes of income mentioned would scarcely affect our plans1 and the difference in cost is accounted for by the choice of nonessentials and not by differences in the principal features of the house4 ,,style ,now1 if we have already set our hearts upon having a house just like that love of a place we saw in ,wayout-on-the-,hill the other day1 we shall have to reconsider the entire lot proposition4 ,we may as well face the fact that the house which is everything appropriate and artistic in one place may in another be simply grotesque4 ,in this phase of the selective work we will profit by the advice of the architect1 if he be something of an artist and not simply a draughtsman4 ,at any rate1 if we have the lot1 let us decide what style of house should be on it2 if we are surely settled upon the house1 then by all means let us get a lot it will fit--and have a care1 too1 with regard to the style of architecture 7or lack of it7 in our prospective neighbors' houses4 ,there have been two extremes in later ,american home architecture--overornamentation and absolute disregard for appearance4 ,the first arose from a feeling that every dollar spent in the interest of art 767 should be so gewgawed to the outer world that all who passed might note the costliness and wonder4 ,the second extreme had its birth in an elementary practicality that believes anything artistic must be both extravagant and useless4 ,none of us can afford to build a house merely for its artistic qualities4 ,yet we feel that we owe it to our neighbors and to the community to make the house sightly4 ,most of all1 we owe it to ourselves1 for the product of our plans will be the concrete expression of our personality4 ,fortunately showiness is neither necessary nor desirable2 while artistic qualities are not so much a matter of money as of thought4 ,a few days ago1 in a suburb of a ,western city1 ,i passed two houses recently constructed4 ,one was simply an enlarged drygoods box with a few windows and doors broken into its sides--altogether a hideous disfigurement to the charming spot on which it was erected4 ,across the way stood the other cottage1 with the same number of rooms as its vis--vis1 but really exquisite in its simple beauty4 ,and the latter1 ,i was told1 though equally spacious1 cost less than the monstrosity across the way6 ,into the one1 there was put thought2 into the other none4 ,can we resist an opinion as to which home will be happier8 ,,size ,should we be somewhat limited in funds1 we may have to make a selection between a large house finished in cheaper materials and a small house of the best quality all through4 ,doubtless much of the hominess that attaches us to some houses is due to their snugness1 but not all of it4 ,size is secondary to adaptation to the family requirements4 ,waste space is an abomination1 because it adds unnecessarily to the burden of the housekeeper2 yet to be so cramped that everything must be moved every day is not a satisfactory alternative4 ,there should be some reserve not only for emergencies but for future needs that may be foreseen4 ,as the children grow up they will demand more room1 and we shall want to give it to them4 ,if we do not care to maintain surplus space for possible needs1 the house should at least be planned with a view to making additions that will be in keeping with the general effect and will readily fall in with the practical arrangement of the house4 ,what is said about emergency space applies principally to the sleeping apartments4 ,there is an altogether happy tendency in these days to simplify the living rooms and to plan them for constant use4 ,we of the ,east have something to learn from the ,californians1 whose bungalows and cottages are so often models of simplicity without the crudeness of most small houses in other sections4 ,our coast brethren have demonstrated that a four- or five-room cottage will satisfactorily house a considerable family1 and that it may be given the characteristics that charm without increasing the cost4 ,,plans ,,for ,,building ,the simplest and in many instances the prettiest cottages are of only a single story4 ,but more than four rooms in one story makes a comparatively expensive house1 besides using up a great deal of ground4 ,with the foundation1 first story1 and roof provided for1 the second story adds little to the cost compared to the space gained4 ,where ground and labor are cheap the single story is to be considered2 but in most places it would not be practicable for us4 ,in planning the house due regard must be had for the dispositions of the respective members of the family4 ,in any event we shall not please all of them1 but the less the others have to complain about the happier the rest of us shall be4 ,,necessary ,,rooms ,if paterfamilias is accustomed to depositing his apparel and other belongings rather promiscuously about1 expecting to find things where they were left on his return in the evening1 it may be better to plan his room where it may stand undisturbed rather than to attempt the breaking of a habit which shows that he feels at home in his own house4 ,likewise1 some place there should be where the mistress may conduct her sewing operations without wildly scrambling to clean up when the doorbell rings2 the children should have at least one place in the house where they may let loose on a rainy day1 and the master should have somewhere a retreat safe from interruption1 as well as a workroom in the basement in which the tools and implements that quickly accumulate in a country home may be secure4 ,,the ,,sick ,,room ,sickness1 too1 may come1 and the questions of privacy without an unwholesome curb upon both children and adults1 of convenience to hot water and the bathroom1 of saving steps for the nurse1 should be thought of4 ,an upstairs chamber is likely to be best on account of the ventilation1 lighting1 and distance from ordinary noises2 but frequent journeys to the kitchen mean an excess of stair climbing4 ,whether there be sickness or not1 there should be somewhere provision for individual privacy1 where absolute rest may be gained4 ,a large indulgence in entertaining must have its influence in settling both size and arrangement4 ,ordinarily1 however1 we may expect to be reasonably hospitable without enlarging our home into a clubhouse4 ,if we do not consider this matter in building1 propriety must compel us afterwards to limit our company to numbers that we can comfortably care for4 ,,room ,,to ,,entertain ,a good many of us who have contrived very nicely to live in a six-room city flat seem to think that we cannot get along with that number of rooms in a suburban house1 though the latter would be considerably more spacious1 not taking the basement into account4 ,so far1 however1 as absolute essentials go1 a six-room house1 carefully planned1 will provide for a family of four very comfortably1 and it can be built in an artistic and modern style for #b1ejj near ,chicago1 about ten per cent4 more in the vicinity of ,new ,york1 and probably for a less sum in smaller cities4 ,an eight-room house would cost about a third more1 and is1 of course1 in many ways more desirable4 ,but1 generally speaking1 we demand more room than we really need1 and then put ourselves to additional expense filling up the space with unnecessary furniture4 ,,the ,,living ,,room ,in small houses there cannot be great variation in the proportioning of space1 but it is important that the use of each room should be well understood and that it should be planned accordingly4 ,if that is not done our decorative and furnishing schemes later on will be misapplied4 ,families differ as to their dispositions toward rooms4 ,most of us would not think of calling for an old-fashioned parlor in a small house nowadays1 but merely to change the name from parlor to living room doesn't change our habits4 ,the living room is meant to take the place of parlor1 library1 reception hall1 and sitting room4 ,if the family adjust themselves to it a great saving of space is effected1 and the home life is given added enjoyment4 ,not all of us1 however1 can fit ourselves to new ideas1 and it is better to suit ourselves than to be uncomfortable and feel out of place in the home4 ,illustration3 ,a homelike living room4 ,the living-room plan in a small house reduces the reception hall to something little more than a vestibule1 but where six rooms are exceeded the reception hall may be enlarged and made serviceable4 ,the first impression counts for much1 not only with our guests but with ourselves1 and if the hall be appropriately finished and fitted it seems fairly to envelop one with its welcome4 ,one thing that must be insured1 whatever form the entrance may take1 is that it shall not be necessary to pass through the living room to reach other parts of the house4 ,,the ,,dining ,,room ,,and ,,kitchen ,vastness is not essential to the dining room4 ,under usual conditions we are not likely to seat more than a dozen persons at our table1 and a dinner party exceeding that number is too large for common enjoyment4 ,connection with the kitchen should be convenient without having the proximity too obvious4 ,city kitchens are now usually made just large enough to accommodate required paraphernalia and to afford sufficient freeway for the cook4 ,many families do no home baking1 and where fruit and vegetables are preserved the basement is utilized4 ,compactness in the kitchen saves hundreds of steps in the course of a day1 and though it is difficult for us to forget the spacious room thought necessary by our parents1 we may well learn1 for our own comfort1 to profit by the modern reasoning that opposes waste space4 ,still1 it is better to defy modern tendencies and even to pain the architect than that the faithful house-keeper who clings tenaciously to the old idea should be made miserable4 ,some persons feel perpetually cramped in a small room1 whereas others only note the snugness of it4 ,,the ,,sleeping ,,rooms ,the general well-being of the family is more directly affected by the character of the bed chambers than by any other department of the house4 ,however we may permit ourselves to be skimped in the living rooms1 it is imperative that the sleeping apartments should be large--not barnlike1 of course--well lighted1 dry1 and airy4 ,three large rooms are in every way preferable to four small ones4 ,it is1 to be sure1 sometimes difficult to put the windows where they will let in the sunlight1 the registers where they will heat1 and the wall space where it will permit the sleeper to have fresh air without a draught4 ,but marvels in the way of ingenious planning have been evolved where necessity1 the mother of invention1 has ruled2 and assuredly there is no greater necessity than a healthful bedroom4 ,the children's bedroom in the house of six to eight rooms is likely to be utilized as a nursery or playroom on rainy days or in winter4 ,it should have an abundance of sunlight4 ,the largest and best room of all should be used by the heads of the household4 ,to reserve the choicest apartment for the chance guest is an absurdity that sensible people have abandoned4 ,if we must1 we may surrender our room temporarily to the visitor1 but the persons who live in a house twelve months of the year are entitled to the best it affords4 ,flat living has taught us to make use of all our rooms1 and perhaps its influence is against hospitality2 but we need not neglect that very important feature of a happy home in doing ourselves simple justice4 ,,thinking ,,it ,,out ,if we would be quite sure of it--to use a ,hibernianism--we should live in our house at least a year before it is built4 ,we need an imagination that will not only perceive our castle in all its stages of construction but will picture us in possession4 ,advice is not to be disdained1 and a good architect we shall find to be a blessing2 but the happiness of our home will be in double measure if we can feel that something of ourselves has gone into its creation4 ,and this something we should not expect to manifest genius1 or even originality1 but tasteful discrimination4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,floors1 ,,walls1 ,,and ,,windows ,tradition has established the condition of her floors as the prime test of a good house-keeper1 and the amount of effort that faithful homemakers have had to waste upon splintery1 carelessly laid cheap boards would1 if it could be represented in money1 buy marble footing for all of us4 ,but we don't want marble floors4 ,we are not building a palace or a showplace1 but a house to live in4 ,we are not seeking magnificence1 but comfort and durability 7which are almost always allied71 as well as sightliness 7which is not always in the combination74 ,,the ,,necessity ,,of ,,good ,,floors ,happily1 when we come to floors we find that those which may be depended upon to endure and to give their share of home comfort are also the best to look upon4 ,it would be agreeable to say1 further1 that they cost least1 but that would be misleading4 ,this book fails to say not a few things that would be interesting but which wouldn't be of much real use to the homemaker1 because they aren't so4 ,leaving the everlastingly pestiferous question of cost aside1 what is the best all-around flooring8 ,well1 so far no one has been able to suggest anything that seems so appropriate as a good quality of hard wood--which means oak or maple1 or both--properly treated and1 above all1 laid down as it should be4 ,the flooring is a permanent part of the house1 or1 if it isn't1 we'll certainly wish it had been4 ,as it is subject to harder and more constant usage than any other part of the structure1 it must be strong1 and it must have a surface that will resist wear1 or we shall simply store up trouble for the future4 ,it is also a part of the decorative scheme1 and as such must help to furnish the keynote of our plans4 ,all these requirements are met by hard wood4 ,it is possible1 we may admit1 to have a happy and comfortable home with cheaper flooring2 but the price that is not paid in money will be afterwards collected with interest in effort and sacrifice of satisfaction4 ,doubtless it is not wise1 as some one suggests1 to put so much money into our floors that we cannot afford to buy anything to put on them2 but in many instances the appearance of our house interiors would be much more pleasing if fewer pieces of superfluous furniture were brought in to cover the floors4 ,at any rate1 the longed-for furniture may be saved up for and bought later2 a mistake in floors to start with is hard to rectify4 ,,material ,,and ,,cost ,,of ,,laying ,oak flooring comes in narrow1 thin strips of plain- or quarter-sawed4 ,at this writing the plain-sawed costs1 laid1 usually #af cents per square foot4 ,it will never be cheaper4 ,where quarter-sawed is desired1 a cent per foot must be added4 ,borders1 which are by no means essential1 cost from #bj to #de cents per lineal foot 7laid74 ,in a country house1 where local artisans do the laying1 the expense may be somewhat less for labor4 ,but it must be remembered that fine floor laying is a trade of itself1 and that the time to make sure of the work being properly done is when the wood is put in4 ,if the building is properly constructed1 a bulging or cracked floor is unnecessary4 ,at all events1 if we are in doubt as to the village carpenter's skill1 we would do well to pay the few dollars extra for the expert from the city4 ,careful measurements are also important1 especially with borders and parquetry4 ,,ornamental ,,flooring ,the hall1 if large1 will permit of rather more elaborate treatment than the rooms which are to be constantly occupied4 ,no part of the house that is in use for hours at a time should be at all over-elaborated1 particularly in its unchangeable features4 ,care must be taken even in the hall to avoid any freakish combination that will either stand out conspicuously or demand a like treatment of the walls4 ,illustration3 ,an attractive and inexpensive hall4 ,some folk like tiling in the hall1 and if we have little more than a vestibule1 tiling is quite satisfactory4 ,it is durable and can be easily cleaned4 ,but if the hall be of the medium or generous size1 parquetry will be found more approvable if the expense can be afforded4 ,the designs are richer without being so glaring as many of the tile effects1 and the wood seems to have less harshness4 ,rubber tiling1 however1 has been found useful in places where there is frequent passing in and outdoors1 and has been developed in some pleasing designs4 ,the additional cost for parquetry is not formidable in a moderate-sized hall4 ,prices range from #bj to #dj cents per square foot1 according to design4 ,we shall be wisely guided in choosing a simple square arrangement that will not protest against any passable decoration of the walls4 ,unless the hall is spacious borders would better be omitted4 ,they need to have the effect of running into hearths and stairways1 and in a narrow passage the center will be too crowded4 ,dining room and living room suggest the quarter-sawed flooring1 the former admitting perhaps the stronger border1 unless the two rooms are in such direct connection that they require continuous treatment4 ,upstairs1 plain-sawed will do nicely for the hall and chambers1 and also for the bathroom if it is not tiled4 ,borders1 of course1 may be dispensed with here1 as there should be no suggestion of over-ornamentation in the permanent features of a sleeping room4 ,for the kitchen hard maple is found to serve well4 ,one may not find it amiss to inquire into the merits and costs of composition and rubber tiling1 but they are not essential to comfort and cleanliness4 ,here we are concerned with essentials2 it is fully understood that we have our own permission to go farther afield in pursuit of more costly things if we choose4 ,,waxed1 ,,varnished1 ,,and ,,oiled ,,floors ,unless there are small children1 expert opinion and the demands of beauty favor waxed floors4 ,ordinarily the floor must he rewaxed about every three months1 but a pound of wax1 that will cover two ordinary sized rooms1 costs only #ej cents1 and it may be applied by anyone4 ,to keep the floors in best condition the wax brush should be passed over them every fortnight4 ,varnish floors scratch but are not affected by water1 and on the whole are rather more popular than oil or wax4 ,they cost something less to maintain1 and are less conducive to embarrassing gyratics on the part of dignified persons wearing slippery shoes4 ,if we may not demand oak or maple floors1 well-laid ,georgia pine1 carefully oiled or varnished1 would be our next choice4 ,there is a large saving in initial expense1 and perhaps some one else will be using them five years from now6 ,though we cannot expect to get anything like equal satisfaction from the cheaper wood as compared with oak1 if we do feel bound to adopt it we shall have less cause for complaint later if we view very carefully the material and the operations of laying and finishing4 ,poor workmanship can spoil the best of materials2 what it can do with cheaper stuff is absolutely unmentionable4 ,paint may be used on the upper floors and even limited to a border in the bedrooms4 ,,carpets ,the floors would not be quite so important if we were planning to entirely cover up their beauties or their uglinesses with another kind of beauty or ugliness in the form of carpets4 ,but experience has long since made it clear to all of us that rugs are not only more healthful and in better taste1 but1 taken by and large1 give less trouble to the housekeeper than carpets4 ,owing to the fixed position of the latter they are1 too1 quality for quality1 less durable4 ,it is true that in some parts of the house a rug or carpet fastened down may be desirable1 but with good floors no such thing will suggest itself in the living rooms at least4 ,,linoleum ,,and ,,mats ,where a very small vestibule is substituted for the reception hall a parquetry or tile flooring would be left uncovered4 ,over a cheap floor a good quality of linoleum1 costing about #ej cents per square yard1 may he placed4 ,a small mat of neat design1 if such can be found1 will take care of those persons who have the foot-scraping habit1 regardless of what they scrape upon1 though the mat outside should do the important work4 ,serviceable mats are seldom things of beauty4 ,as they come under the head of floor coverings1 it may be well to note that the best quality leather mat1 guaranteed to last twenty years1 costs #a4be a square foot4 ,a fair imitation may be had for less than half that figure1 and has the same proportion of value4 ,the open-steel mat that serves best with tenacious mud costs #ej cents per square foot1 and for rubber we must add a half or double the price1 depending on whether we demand the made-to-order article or are content with stock4 ,the old reliable cocoa mat may be had from #ce cents per square foot up1 and is quite as useful and scarcely uglier than the others4 ,,the ,,stairway ,for appearance' sake1 if our stairway is well constructed of good woods1 we should forbear to hide it4 ,but there is no place in the house where little ,willie can more effectively proclaim to all the household world his possession of double-nailed heels than on the unprotected rises of the stairway4 ,even the tiny heels of the mistress of the home seem to clump like the boots of a giant in their numberless journeys up and down4 ,so the hall runner must have a place4 ,perhaps the carpet will be of red or green1 depending on the walls1 but it need cost little more than #a per yard for a fair quality4 ,it is put down with stair pads 7#a per dozen7 and ordinary tacks1 and the expenditure of #aj cents per yard for a professional layer will not be regretted4 ,the amateur who can do a really good job on a stair carpet is a rarity4 ,illustration3 ,an artistic staircase hall4 ,,rugs ,the ,biglow ,bagdad domestic rug in #bg by #ed and #cf by #fc-;inch sizes is inexpensive but looks and wears well in the hall4 ,the first size costs about #d and the second #g4 ,a little better quality in ,anglo-,indian or ,anglo-,persian costs a dollar or so more per rug4 ,where there is constant direct use in the hall we will do wisely to get either a moderate-priced article that may be renewed or something expensive that will wear indefinitely4 ,sometimes the latter is the more economical plan4 ,very often halls are so shaped that a rug must be made to order4 ,it is better to do this and have a good-sized rug that will lie well than to risk tripping and slipping with smaller ones4 ,for the living room a variety of choice in rugs is offered4 ,attempts to utilize a number of small rugs are not usually joyous in their outcome2 besides1 the floor space is too badly broken up4 ,the large center rug holds its own1 with some reenforcement in the alcove or perhaps before the hearth4 ,what quality the rug shall be depends largely upon the length of our purse2 yet sagacity and a modest fund will sometimes do more than plethora and no thought4 ,design selection is a task to vex the most patient1 but we must not be drawn into a hurried decision4 ,if we are near enough to the business house with which we are dealing1 it is advisable to have a selection of rugs sent out for inspection on the floors4 ,seen in the salesroom and in our house they may present different aspects4 ,generally speaking1 the showiest designs are in the cheaper goods1 and the showier a cheap article is the quicker its shoddy qualities will be made manifest4 ,therefore1 if we must count the pennies on our living-room rug1 let us select a simple design with a good body--something that will be unobtrusive even when it begins to appeal for replacement4 ,there is a considerable range of ,wiltons1 from the so-called ,wilton velvet to the ,royal ,wilton4 ,they are by no means the cheapest1 though one may go fabulously beyond them in price2 but their popularity shows them to be a good average quality1 suited to the home planned on a modest scale4 ,body ,brussels1 although not affording such rich effects1 also has many friends1 and tapestry ,brussels may be considered4 ,there are names innumerable for rugs and carpets1 some of which have little real significance4 ,if one knows a good design when it is seen1 a little common-sense observation of weights and weave and a thoughtful comparison of prices will help to secure the best selections4 ,here are some specimen sizes and prices quoted by one establishment3 ,,size4 ,body ,brussels4 ,biglow ,bagdad4 ,anglo-,indian4 #f4j x #i4j4444444 #ah4jj #be4jj #cj4jj #h4c x #aj4f4444444 #bb4ej #cj4jj #de4jj #i4j x #aj4f4444444 #be4jj #ce4jj #ej4jj #aj4f x #ab4j4444444 #cb4ej #de4jj #fe4jj #aj4f x #ac4f4444444 #ce4jj #eb4ej #ge4jj #aa4c x #ae4j4444444 #db4ej #fj4jj #hj4jj ,saxony ,axminster1 #i by #ab1 is priced at #de1 and is considered to be more serviceable than most grades of ,wilton4 ,for the dining room the problem is about the same as for the principal apartment4 ,the rug need not be so expensive as the one in the living room1 but it must assuredly be of the enduring sort4 ,the ,scotch ,caledon rugs sometimes solve the difficulty here4 ,indeed1 they are not out of place in a really homey living room or elsewhere in the house4 ,they are made of wool1 woven like an ingrain1 with no nap1 and are especially pleasing for their artistic soft colorings1 mostly in green or blue two-tone effects4 ,they are1 strictly speaking1 not reversible1 but some designs will permit use on both sides4 ,while they do not wear quite so well as a ,wilton1 they come at least a fifth cheaper4 ,prices range from #i for a #d4f by #g4f to #de for a #ab by #ae4 ,the sizes we have mentioned are standard4 ,if our rooms have been planned in such wise as to require rugs to order we shall have to add ten per cent to our expenditures4 ,,oriental ,,rugs ,the subject of oriental rugs1 to be intelligently discussed1 would require an entire book1 and there are books that may be and should be studied by those who can afford orientals4 ,most of us cannot4 ,there are1 indeed1 good reasons for the high cost of the genuine oriental1 in its superior coloring1 wide range of design1 and wonderful durability4 ,the right sort grows richer with age4 ,but our plans are not so much for posterity as for present uses1 and we can get along very well without testing our wits in the oriental rug market4 ,it is a test of wits1 for there are no standards of size or price1 and spurious goods sometimes get into the best of hands4 ,small ,daghestans and ,baloochistans may be had even lower than #bj1 but anything we would care to have in living room or dining room would take #aej to #bjj from our bank account4 ,illustration3 ,an oriental rug of good design3 ,shirvan4 ,,kitchen ,,and ,,upper ,,floors ,in the kitchen1 and perhaps in a rear vestibule1 unless the floor is of a sort to be easily wiped up1 linoleum may be demanded4 ,the upper hall will require a continuation of the stair runner1 with perhaps a rug if it broadens out at the landing4 ,for the bed chambers the question of individual use must be thought of4 ,brussels rugs will do in most cases4 ,a large rug means considerable shifting to get at the floor1 but is the more comfortable4 ,smaller rugs will permit sweeping under the bed without moving it far1 and should be placed under the casters1 which will injure the hard-wood floors if allowed to rest directly thereupon4 ,,matting ,,and ,,cordoman ,,cloth ,next in choice would be to spend #be or #cj cents a yard for matting and cover the entire floor1 adding one or two rugs to head off the shivery feeling that arises from a contact of bare feet with cold matting on a winter morning4 ,the casters will cut the matting1 too2 we must look out for that4 ,a border of flooring1 painted or not1 may be left2 but generally1 if anything is to be fastened down1 it should cover the entire space1 avoiding the ugly accumulation of dust that otherwise gathers under the edges4 ,more expensive than matting1 but likely to be quite satisfactory1 is cordoman cloth1 a floor covering that comes in plain colors and may be easily swept and wiped up4 ,it costs from #de to #ee cents per yard1 and the wadded cotton lining that goes with it is very cheap4 ,considering its greater durability than matting1 cordoman is really the more economical1 and the homemaker will do well to investigate its merits4 ,,children',s ,,room ,,and ,,den ,for the children's room linoleum will probably stand the wear and tear1 prove more hygienic1 and do as much toward deadening noise as anything short of an impossible padding could do4 ,on the porch a crex-fiber rug or two--the sort that stand rain and resist moths--may be desired1 but they can wait until we are settled and have found our bearings4 ,the den1 if there is to be one1 or the separate library1 may in the one instance be left to individual caprice1 in the other to good judgment in suiting it to the prevailing thought4 ,,uses ,,of ,,the ,,decorator ,if we have not done so before1 when we take up consideration of the walls we will1 if we can afford it1 call in a professional decorator4 ,first1 of course1 we will make sure that he really may be of service to us1 for his duty is to give practical and artistic development to the more or less vague ideas of which we have become possessed1 and if he seems1 from examples of previous work1 to be wedded to a style of his own that would not jibe with our aspirations1 we would better try to struggle along without him4 ,but it is possible to secure the services of a decorative artist for a sum not necessarily tremendous1 and if we get hold of a sensible fellow his advice will be1 in the end1 worth much more than the extra outlay4 ,if he is a sincere artist1 he will plan just as carefully for a modest six-room cottage as for a mansion1 and he will be able to take the good points of our own schemes and adapt them to expert application without making us feel too insignificant4 ,explicit advice as to decoration1 where there are thousands of us1 each in different circumstances and with variant tastes1 would be rather an absurdity4 ,we may emphasize to ourselves1 however1 a few phases of the decorative problem in which lack of thought would lose to us some of the joys of a house perfected4 ,if we are not to employ a decorator we must study out the problem for ourselves4 ,to leave it for the painter and paperhanger to settle would be a fatal error4 ,much knowledge may be gained by the study of books and magazine articles1 provided they are very recent4 ,it will be advisable to weigh this knowledge in the scales of practical observation1 however1 in houses of late date4 ,this is not so much because of changes in fashion as for the reason that improvements in process are always being made1 and even the omnipresent folk who write books sometimes overlook a point4 ,concerning fashion1 which of course has its sway in decoration1 we will remember that the simplest treatment survives longest4 ,,wood ,,in ,,decoration ,it seems that with the steady increase in cost of lumber we have grown more and more to appreciate the beauty of our woods4 ,at any rate1 wood is being used more extensively than ever in interior finishing4 ,this is in some ways a healthy tendency1 as it makes for simplicity and admits of artistic treatment at a reasonable cost4 ,hall1 living room1 and dining room1 for instance1 may be treated with a high or low wood wainscoting and wooden panels extending to a wooden cornice at the ceiling4 ,the wood may be a weathered oak1 and between the panels is a rough plaster in gray or tinted to suit the house scheme4 ,friezes and plastic cornices are somewhat on the wane1 in smaller houses at least2 though1 of course1 they will never go out of use altogether4 ,,panels ,,and ,,plaster ,this plaster effect is less expensive than #dj-;cent burlap or ordinary white calcimine or paper4 ,the picture molding may be at the bottom of the cornice4 ,sometimes the cornice is dropped to a level with the tops of the doors and windows 7usually about seven feet71 leaving a frieze of two or three feet1 the molding then going to the top of the cornice4 ,ceilings and friezes of ivory or light yellow are usually in good taste4 ,the living room may carry out the panel and plaster effect1 but is more likely to demand a simple paper of good quality with no border4 ,here1 as in the hall1 the wooden 7or plastic7 cornice with no frieze is suggested4 ,grilles are discarded1 and portires are avoided where possible4 ,,the ,,beamed ,,ceiling ,in the dining room the beamed ceiling has been found so appropriate that it continues popular4 ,it is simple1 easily maintained1 and has the broad1 deep lines that put one at ease4 ,here it is advisable to carry a wooden wainscoting up to about #c #a_/b feet1 the panels continuing to the ceiling4 ,tapestry1 burlap1 or plaster may show above4 ,plate shelves are somewhat in disfavor1 partly because of abuse and partly because the tendency is to eliminate all dust-catchers that are not necessities4 ,where doors and windows are built on a line 7as they should be71 shelves are sometimes placed over them4 ,but there should not be too many broken lines if we would preserve the comfortable suggestion of the beamed ceiling4 ,,paint1 ,,paper1 ,,and ,,calcimine ,for the kitchen1 painted walls1 which can be easily wiped off1 and resist steam1 are preferable to calcimine4 ,tiling halfway up will be found still better1 but tiling paper1 which costs more than painting1 is scarcely to be chosen4 ,for the bedrooms the professional decorators are disposed to over elaboration4 ,a simple paper1 costing #ae to #ce cents per roll1 is best1 or even plain calcimine1 which many persons consider more healthful4 ,the latter costs only #c or #d a room and may be renewed every year or two4 ,very nice effects are had in a ,georgia-pine panel trimming running to a wood cornice1 and in natural wood or painted white4 ,with this the ceiling should be plain white1 and if bright-flowered paper is used1 pictures should be discarded4 ,lively colors1 if not too glaring1 give a cheerful aspect to the room1 but the safer plan is to stick to simplicity4 ,in the children's room a three-foot wood wainscoting is desirable4 ,part of this may be a blackboard without costing more1 and at the top a shelf can be placed for toys4 ,figured nursery papers cost1 per roll1 from #ce to #ge cents1 and will be a never-ceasing source of delight4 ,if the walls are not papered they should be painted1 for reasons that need not be suggested4 ,isn't it wonderful how far a three-foot boy or girl can reach8 ,,shades ,,and ,,curtains ,we have not advanced much in the production of window shades that will let in light and air1 shut out the gaze of strangers1 hold no shadows1 match interior and exterior1 fit properly1 work with ease1 cost little1 and last forever4 ,the ordinary opaque roller shade still has no serious rival1 and usually the best we can do is to see to it that we get a good quality which is not always reliable1 rather than a poor quality1 which never is4 ,the good old lace curtains that were the pride of the housekeeper's heart and the jest of the masculine members of the household seem to have had their day4 ,it has been a long one1 and any article that holds sway for so lengthy a period must have had some merit4 ,but the soft chintz1 linen1 madras1 or muslin is now the vogue1 and there is much good sense in the innovation4 ,no lace curtain ever made could be both artistic and serviceable2 some persons go so far as to say that they never were either1 but we have too much reverence for tradition to be so iconoclastic4 ,however1 they certainly were expensive if they were good enough to have1 were difficult to wash1 and usually caused a dead line to be drawn about the very choicest part of the room4 ,linen curtains1 costing from #ej cents to #a4be a yard1 may be had in a set or conventional design or plain appliqu4 ,chintz and muslin cost less1 and some remarkably pretty effects in madras are obtainable4 ,curtains now sensibly stop at the bottom of the window instead of dragging upon the floor4 ,besides shades and curtains the window question involves not only light1 ventilation1 and artistic relations1 but such details as screens and storm windows4 ,these latter matters come under the jurisdiction of the architect and should not be carelessly settled upon4 ,each room has its uses1 to which the window must conform as nearly as may be1 and then the outward appearance of the house must not be forgotten4 ,it is often made or marred by the character and placing of the windows4 ,,leaded ,,panes ,,and ,,casements ,leaded or art glass is attractive if not overdone4 ,small panes are difficult to keep clean1 of course2 but we can probably endure that if all else be equal4 ,in living rooms the upper sash should be made smaller than the lower1 so as to get the median rail above the level of the eye4 ,in some parts of the house a horizontal window gives a fine effect1 besides affording light and air without affecting privacy4 ,casement windows have their points of excellence1 and are additionally expensive chiefly in hardware4 ,the frames are really cheaper1 but they must be very accurately fitted to avoid leaks4 ,casement windows seriously complicate the screen and storm-window problem1 and expert planning is necessary4 ,the durability of screens depends mostly upon their care or abuse1 but if it can be afforded1 copper wire will usually last sufficiently longer to repay its additional cost4 ,metal frames are not so essential4 ,the best form is that which covers the entire window and permits both sashes to be freely opened2 but this costs practically twice as much as the half-window screen4 ,,storm ,,windows ,storm windows should be carefully fitted or they will come far from serving their purpose4 ,if they are of the right sort they will soon repay their cost in easing up the furnace4 ,preferably they should be swung from the top1 both for ventilation and washing and to avoid a check upon egress in case of fire4 ,some persons object to storm windows on account of the supposed stoppage of ventilation1 but that rests entirely with the occupants of the house4 ,they can get plenty of fresh air without letting the gales of winter have their own sweet will4 ,with floors1 walls1 and windows determined upon1 we have a good start on the interior of our house4 ,but we may only pause to take breath1 for we now have to give most careful consideration to two decidedly important factors in our comfort--lighting and heating4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,lighting ,,and ,,heating ,if common sense has governed our proceedings to date1 the new house we are building1 or the ready-built one we have chosen1 will have full advantage of the one perfect light--that afforded by the sun4 ,,necessity ,,of ,,sunlight ,the health-giving properties of sunlight are so well known to all of us that we wonder why so many otherwise sensible folk seem to shun it1 with trees and vines1 awnings and blinds denying access to that which would make the house wholesome4 ,when possible1 every room in the house should have its daily ray bath1 and our apartments should utilize the light of the sun as early and as late as may be4 ,perhaps nature intended all creatures to sleep through the hours of darkness4 ,if we had followed that custom we might be a race of ,methuselahs2 who knows8 ,why some one has not established a cult of sleepers from sunset to dawn is really inexplicable4 ,but mankind in general has persisted in holding to a different notion1 and since the sun declines to shine upon us during all the hours of the twenty-four1 and we insist upon cutting the night short at one end1 we have had to devise substitutes for the sunlight4 ,of course the sunlight does not always leave us in unbroken darkness4 ,few of us are so far departed from the days of mellow youth as to forget certain summer evenings1 linked in memory with verandas or bowered walks1 when moonlight--and even that in a modified form--was the ideal illumination4 ,but even if we could employ the good fairies to dip them up for us1 we should find the soft moongleams of the summer evening a rather doubtful aid in searching for the cat in the dark corners of the basement4 ,omitting pine knots1 which are rather out of vogue1 modern home lighting includes four forms--candles1 oil lamps1 gas1 and electricity4 ,the first-named are not1 it is true1 used to any extent for what may be called the practical purposes of lighting2 but in many ways their light is most beautiful of all4 ,some charming candelabra suited to the dining table are found in the better shops1 and an investment in a choice design is a very justifiable extravagance4 ,candle illumination is of all varieties the one least trying to the eyes and to the complexion1 though its effect upon the temper of the person tending the candles is not so sure to be happy4 ,however1 the sort with a hollow center1 called ,helion candles1 require little attention1 and the patented candle holders1 which work automatically1 give no trouble at all4 ,,kerosene ,notwithstanding there are some points in favor of the old reliable kerosene lamp1 even when put in the scale with other illuminants1 few people of the younger generation regard it as other than something to be endured4 ,in view of the facts that an oil lamp requires a great deal of attention1 usually leaves its trail of oil and smoke1 is ill-smelling1 disagreeably hot in summer1 and always somewhat dangerous1 it is strange that those who cling to it as to a fetich are usually the ones who have longest struggled with its imperfections4 ,the pretext for this conservatism1 whether it be spoken or reserved1 is economy4 ,if we are of this class1 we may be shocked to discover that1 after all1 kerosene lighting is really no cheaper than gas or electric light1 if sufficient illumination is afforded1 and insufficient lighting is surely ill-judged economy4 ,,gas ,,and ,,matches ,few communities of respectable size are now without gas or electricity1 and even in the country the latter is almost everywhere obtainable4 ,if not1 an individual gas plant1 of which there are several makes1 may be installed at a moderate cost4 ,properly placed1 such a plant is safe and easily regulated and will furnish light for somewhat less than the usual charge of the gas companies4 ,gas has never fully supplanted kerosene1 even where it is readily obtained4 ,why this is true we need not pause to discuss2 perhaps a fairly well-founded suspicion of the meter has had something to do with it4 ,but certainly no one building a house in these days would fail to pipe it for gas if the supply were at hand1 even if it were to be used only for kitchen fuel4 ,gas has its virtues as an illuminant also1 and is favored by many on account of the softness of the light4 ,but while gas is preferable to kerosene1 electricity is with equal certainty preferable to gas4 ,it is more adaptable1 is in many places quite as reasonable in cost1 and is cleaner and safer4 ,in numerous country communities where gas is not to be had electricity is available1 as frequently a large region embracing several towns is supplied from a single generating plant4 ,gas is subject to fluctuations in quality1 sometimes becoming quite dangerous in its effect upon the atmosphere4 ,water gas1 which is very generally manufactured1 is said to carry four or five times as much carbon monoxide per unit of bulk as retort gas4 ,it has for the hemoglobin of the blood four hundred times the affinity of oxygen1 and a proportion of only two tenths of one per cent may produce heart derangement4 ,while we are wondering that we are alive in the face of such dreadful facts1 we may note further that gas is rather variable in its qualities as an illuminant4 ,we have mentioned the suspicious gas meter1 whose vagaries doubtless have caused more virtuous indignation with less impression upon its object than anything ever devised4 ,an open flame is always a menace2 and then there is the burnt match4 ,most housekeepers1 ,i am sure1 would testify to their belief that matches were not made in heaven4 ,is there anything that so persistently defies the effort for tidiness as the charred remains of a match1 invariably ignited elsewhere than on the sandpaper conspicuously provided1 and more likely to be tossed upon the floor or laid upon the mahogany table than to find its way into the receptacles that yearn for it8 ,for cooking1 however1 gas must still be a main dependence1 and for this reason1 as well as to provide for remote emergencies1 the house should be piped for gas4 ,at least it should be brought into the house1 even if the piping is not continued farther than the kitchen4 ,,electric ,,light ,in seeking to secure sufficient light we often go to the extreme of providing a glare that is trying to the eyes and would test the beauty of the loveliest complexion that ever charmed in the revealing light of day4 ,we go further1 mayhap1 and concentrate the glare upon the center of the room1 with a shade of bright green which gives an unearthly but not a heavenly cast to all the unfortunate humans who come under its belying influence4 ,objection is sometimes made to electric light that it is too powerful1 and that it is difficult to modify and control4 ,this impression is due to the tendency of which we have spoken--the working out of the thought that proper lighting is a question of quantity4 ,for some persons the ideal arrangement would seem to be a searchlight at each corner of the room1 with a few arc lights suspended from a mirrored ceiling4 ,electric light1 to furnish the most agreeable effects1 must be softened and properly diffused4 ,if the light units that so perfectly illumine a room during the day were concentrated they would make a blinding glare1 but diffused they are properly tempered to the eye4 ,the common thought seems to be to put all the lights of the living room in the center1 and to make them so powerful that they will penetrate every corner of the room and make it light as day4 ,in consequence the center is overlighted1 and instead of a similitude of daylight we have unreality4 ,,pleasing ,,arrangement ,for the dining-room and library table some form of drop light is essential4 ,there are arrangements that will transform the banquet or student lamp into an electric drop light1 or the special outfits for this use may be had in some very artistic designs4 ,for general lighting1 wall sconces1 lanterns1 or brackets are preferable4 ,some of these are very beautiful1 though there is a tendency to overelaboration4 ,design1 of course1 should be in keeping with the general decoration and outfitting of the room4 ,instead of four sixteen-candle-power lights in a center chandelier1 eight of eight-candle power will spread the illumination better and add little to the expense1 except for fixtures4 ,in beamed ceilings which are not too high1 the effect of lights placed upon the beams is pleasing1 though the effect upon the monthly bill may not have the same aspect4 ,electric lamps at the sides should be at a fair height and throw their light downward1 instead of wasting it upon the ceiling4 ,the pretty lanterns of antique design are expensive1 the simplest sort costing #d or #e apiece4 ,there are numerous artistic brackets1 however1 that may be had for smaller amounts4 ,bulbs are made in all sorts of shapes to fit recesses or for special purposes1 and the designs in shades and candelabra are legion4 ,,adaptability ,electricity's strong card is its adaptability4 ,it can go wherever a wire may be carried1 and into many places where gas or oil lights would not be safe or practical4 ,the only thing lacking is to make it wireless1 and perhaps invention sooner or later will be equal to that demand4 ,early installations were rather carelessly made1 but municipal and underwriters' rules are now so strict that practically all danger of fire has been eliminated4 ,the householder in the country should make sure that the underwriters' prescriptions are fully observed1 as his insurance may be affected4 ,in the city1 official inspection usually guarantees correct wiring4 ,probably only in the hall1 dining room1 and living room will we be greatly concerned with the decorative phase of lighting4 ,elsewhere the question is largely one of practical use1 though considerations of taste are not to be neglected4 ,careful study should be given to the adaptation of lighting to the future uses of the rooms4 ,this will perhaps avoid the use later of unsightly extension cord1 though this avoidance can scarcely be made complete4 ,,protection ,a very useful light may be provided for the veranda1 just outside the door1 illuminating the front steps and path to the sidewalk4 ,this light may be turned off and on by a switch key inside the door4 ,it is particularly comforting when some stranger rings the doorbell late at night and one does not feel overpleased to be called upon to open the door to an invisible person4 ,other switch arrangements make it possible to turn on the upper hall lights from below1 or the lower hall lights from above1 and the lights in each room from the hall4 ,when there are unseemly noises downstairs in the wee sma' hours it is much more agreeable to gaze over the balustrade into a bright hall than to go prowling about in the darkness for the bulb or gas jet1 with the chance of grasping a burglar instead4 ,some burglars are very sensitive about familiarities on the part of strangers1 and it is always better to permit them to depart in a good humor4 ,the basement lighting1 too1 should be regulated from above1 and the dark corners should be well looked after4 ,at best1 the basement is a breeder of trouble4 ,if the light is in the center1 and must be turned off at the bulb1 the return to the stairway from the nocturnal visit to the furnace is likely to be productive of bruised shins and objurgative ,english2 if the light operates from above1 one either forgets to turn it off and leaves it to burn all night1 or becomes uncertain about it just as he is beginning to doze off1 necessitating a scramble downstairs to make sure4 ,perhaps it would be well to have a choice of systems4 ,some houses have been so wired that one can illuminate every room from the hall or from the master's bedroom4 ,this necessitates complicated wiring and will not be found necessary by most of us4 ,neither will we desire to spend our hardly won cash in wiring our four-poster bed for reading lights1 or to put lights under the dining table for use in searching for the lost articles that always by some instinct seek the darkest spots in the room4 ,if there be a barn or shed on the lot1 an extension carried there will be found convenient and comparatively inexpensive4 ,in the kitchen and pantries the lights should be considered in detail so that all the various operations may be served4 ,shadowed sinks and ranges and dark pantries are not necessary where there is electric light4 ,,regulated ,,light ,in halls1 closets1 and bathroom lower-power lamps1 or the hylo1 which may be alternated from one- to sixteen-candle power1 will prove an economy4 ,the hylo is also useful in bedrooms where children are put to sleep1 affording sufficient light to daunt the hobgoblins without discouraging the approach of the sandman4 ,some persons cannot sleep without a light2 for them1 and for the sick room1 the low-power light is eminently preferable to the best of oil lamps4 ,there are numerous conveniences to be operated by electricity1 such as chafing dishes 7#ac4ej71 flat irons 7#c4ge up71 curling-iron heaters 7#b4be up71 electric combs for drying hair 7#d71 heating pads1 in lieu of hot-water bags 7#e71 and many articles for the kitchen4 ,these are operated from flush receptacles in baseboards or under rugs1 or from the ordinary light sockets4 ,,the ,,two ,,sure ,,ways ,,of ,,heating ,there is only one efficient and healthful method of heating a house1 and that is with a hot-air furnace4 ,i have that on the authority of a man who sells hot-air furnaces1 and he ought to know4 ,substitute steam or hot water for hot-air furnace1 and we have the assurance of the man across the way who sells boilers and radiators4 ,the beauty of it is that each proves his case to one's entire satisfaction--not only that his own system is a marvel of perfection1 but that the other systems are dangerous to health and breeders of unhappiness and really ought 7though he wouldn't like to say so7 to be prohibited by law4 ,so we shall have to decide the question for ourselves4 ,if we err1 we can still abuse the dealer1 or the architect1 or the contractor1 for letting us make a mistake4 ,,the ,,hot-,,air ,,furnace ,the hot-air furnace costs least to install4 7,we leave stoves out of consideration47 ,it is also supposed to be easiest to manage4 ,that1 in a sense1 is true4 ,a good furnace will act pretty well even under indifferent direction2 a bad one cannot be made much worse by the greatest of stupidity4 ,however1 the average person can run the average furnace with a fair degree of satisfaction to the household1 if not to himself4 ,for a house of six to eight rooms the furnace may be considered an efficient means of heating4 ,it requires more fuel than some other apparatus1 but there are compensations4 ,since ventilation and heating are inevitably associated1 the argument that the furnace provides for ventilation is a strong one4 ,if the air is taken from outdoors1 passed over the radiating surface into the rooms1 and then sent on its way1 something like perfect ventilation is assured4 ,if the air is simply taken from the basement--a poor place to go for air--heated1 passed through the rooms1 returned1 and heated over again1 we may well pray to be delivered from such ventilation4 ,the success of the furnace depends not upon ability to keep up a rousing fire but upon a proper regulation of air currents4 ,many a first-class furnace1 properly installed1 fails to work satisfactorily because the principle of heating is not understood4 ,even with the best of knowledge1 the air is hard to regulate1 and the very principle that gives the furnace its standing as a ventilator must prevent it from being a perfect heater4 ,unless some artificial moisture is provided1 not only will the air be too dry for comfort and health1 but an excessive degree of heat must be attained in order to warm the rooms1 thus increasing the consumption of coal4 ,a water pan is usually provided in the furnace1 but too often it is neglected4 ,,direction ,,of ,,heat ,if any mistake in selection of size is to be made1 it should be in favor of excess4 ,most authorities urge the choice of at least a size above that indicated by the heating area4 ,a chimney with suitable draught is imperative4 ,the furnace should be placed in a central location and should be set sufficiently low to permit the essential rise of the heat ducts4 ,if the basement is low the furnace should be depressed4 ,while the heat conveyors should not ascend directly from the furnace1 they should not be carried any farther than necessary in a horizontal position4 ,the velocity of heat is diminished in carrying it horizontally1 increased vertically4 ,crooks and turns add to the friction and decrease heating power4 ,therefore the pipes should be as short and direct as possible4 ,it is not necessary to carry the register to a window on the farther side of the room1 say some authorities1 as the warm air rises to the ceiling anyway1 and the greater length of carry involves a loss in warmth4 ,pipes for the first floor should he large4 ,those for the upper rooms1 having a longer vertical range1 may be smaller4 ,all the pipes should be double1 with an inch air space between1 as a protection against fire4 ,asbestos paper on a single pipe is not regarded as a sufficient precaution1 as it is easily torn and quickly wears out4 ,,registers ,there are arguments in favor of side-wall registers4 ,they save floor space and obviate some dust4 ,on the other hand1 they are not quite so effective in heating as the other sort1 since the pipes for floor registers may be of larger diameter and as a rule require fewer bends4 ,each register should have a separate pipe from the furnace4 ,where direct heat is not desired1 a register opening in the ceiling of a downstairs room will sometimes carry enough heat to the upper chamber to make it comfortable for sleeping purposes4 ,since furnace efficiency is largely dependent upon air control1 a strong wind sometimes makes it difficult to heat portions of the house4 ,to meet this emergency there is a combination hot-air and hot-water heater which supplies radiators on the upper floors1 or elsewhere if desired4 ,the additional cost is practically all in the installation1 as the same fire furnishes both forms of heat4 ,for an eight-room house or smaller1 a first-class steel-plate furnace1 securely sealed against the escape of gas and smoke1 costs free on board about #aej4 ,each two rooms additional raises the price about #be4 ,other furnaces may be had as low as #ej4 ,cost of tin work1 brick setting1 etc41 depends upon locality4 ,,hot ,,water ,,and ,,steam ,,heat ,hot water and steam heat cost more for installation1 but have many advantages over the furnace4 ,their chief drawbacks are the space usurped by radiators1 lack of ventilation1 and the possibility of an occasional breakdown4 ,the ingenuity of the makers1 however1 is partly overcoming these difficulties1 mainly by the device called the indirect system4 ,we need not fret ourselves here with a technical elucidation of either form of heating4 ,we may1 however1 consider some of the claims made for hot water1 which is apparently coming to be considered the preferable arrangement for dwelling houses4 ,there is not a great deal of difference between the essential features of steam and hot-water systems4 ,it is declared that water will absorb more heat than any other substance1 hence will take from the boiler practically all the heat produced in the combustion of fuel4 ,as the temperature of the water is automatically controlled1 the atmosphere of the rooms may be kept at the desired degree1 the presence of radiators in each room1 all of the same temperature1 giving an even heat over the entire house4 ,there can be no sudden drop in temperature1 as the water in the pipes continues to distribute warmth even after the fire has been checked or has been allowed to go out4 ,the fuel required for an ordinary stove1 it is asserted1 will warm an entire house with hot water4 ,an engineer is not required4 ,inexperienced persons have no difficulty in operating the ordinary boiler1 and there is no danger whatever1 because1 the makers adduce1 for steam heat the maximum pressure is about five pounds1 while with hot water there is practically no pressure at all4 ,very little water is used1 and a connection with the street water system is not imperative1 though convenient4 ,,indirect ,,heating ,indirect heating is provided by passing air over radiators attached to the ceiling of the basement1 thence to the upper rooms4 ,in the direct-indirect system the radiators are placed in the partition walls of the rooms they are to heat1 the cold air being brought through a duct and1 being heated1 passing into the rooms4 ,these two systems are economical of space and afford provision for excellent ventilation4 ,they are considerably more expensive1 however1 than the direct system1 which involves exposed radiators4 ,radiators are now constructed in many different forms1 to fit under windows1 in corners1 in fireplaces1 under cabinets1 and so on4 ,much effort has been directed also toward relieving their painful ugliness1 and if of a neat design appropriately colored they need not be a serious blot upon the decorative scheme of a room4 ,radiators1 in the direct system1 should be placed far enough from the walls to permit free circulation over the heating surfaces1 and should not be directly covered at the top4 ,ordinarily there are good reasons for putting them near the more exposed places1 such as windows and outer doors4 ,as both steam and hot water furnish a dry heat1 provision should be made in every room for evaporation of water4 ,,summary ,with no prejudice against good furnaces1 it may be said that hot water apparently affords the greatest possibilities for comfort and regularity of heating1 and that there are usually no reasons why it cannot be utilized in country houses4 ,a hot-water installation is likely to cost twice as much as a furnace1 but if we are to live in the house it is better to make our estimates cover ten or twenty years rather than to bear too strongly on first costs4 ,the following table1 while it must not be taken as fully conclusive1 gives at least a basis of consideration3 ,,hot ,,air4 ,,steam4 ,,hot ,,water4 ,first cost444444444444444444 ,small4 ,higher4 ,highest4 ,comparative coal consumption 444444444444 #ah #a_/b tons4 #ac #a_/b tons4 #aj tons4 ,average durability4444444444 #ab years4 #ce years4 99,indestructible ,heat distribution44444444444 ,uneven4 ,regular4 ,even4 ,temperature44444444444444444 ,variable4 ,fair4 ,regular4 ,ventilation44444444444444444 ,good1 if ,good1 with ,good1 with properly indirect indirect managed4 system4 system4 ,quality of heated air4444444 ,ditto4 ,ditto4 ,ditto4 ,dust and dirt444444444444444 ,much4 ,little4 ,none4 ,danger of fire44444444444444 ,moderate4 ,none4 ,none4 ,danger of explosion444444444 ,slight4 ,none4 ,none4 ,noise44444444444444444444444 ,none4 ,occasional4 ,almost none4 ,management444444444444444444 99,delightful4 99,pleasure4 99,joy4 ,relative cost of apparatus44 #i #ac #ae ,ditto1 plus repairs and fuel for five years44444 #bi #a_/b #bi #b_/c #bg ,ditto1 plus repairs and fuel for five years44444 #ha #fc #eb #a_/b 99 ,makers' statement4 ,these comparisons are probably1 on the whole1 somewhat unfair to the high-grade furnace4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,furniture ,much of good sense and more that is nonsensical has been written about furniture4 ,observation tends to justify belief that in general effect the nonsense has proved more potent than its antithesis4 ,,the ,,quest ,,of ,,the ,,beautiful ,originality has been preached1 and we have seen the result in abnormalities that conform to no conception of artistic or practical quality ever recognized4 ,antique models have been glorified1 with a sequence of puny1 spiritless imitations4 ,simplicity has been extolled1 and we find the word interpreted in clumsiness and crudity4 ,delicacy of outline has been urged1 and we triumph in the further accomplishments of flimsiness and hopeless triviality4 ,and yet through all that has been preached1 through all that has been executed1 there runs a vein of truth4 ,each age should express itself1 not merely the thought of centuries past2 still1 it can expect to do little more than take from antecedent cycles those features that will best serve the present1 adding an original touch here and there4 ,so far1 then1 as we find in the furniture of the ,georgian period1 or of ,louis ,quinze1 or even of the ancient ,greeks1 such suggestions as will help us to live this twentieth-century life more comfortably and agreeably1 we may with good conscience borrow or imitate4 ,,ancient ,,designs ,some very eminent authorities assure us that many of the objects of our admiration in museums and in private collections are remnants of the furnishings of the common households of the olden times4 ,if the breadth of knowledge of the eminent authorities is indicated by this assertion1 they must have touched only the high places in history1 so far as it records social conditions4 ,the truth is that the household appurtenances which have survived to our time are mostly those of the few and not of the many1 of the palace and mansion and not of the cot4 ,these articles were costly then and they would be costly now1 and very often quite as useless as costly4 ,they were not found in the cottage of the older days1 and they do not belong in the cottages of the present4 ,nevertheless1 many of these old designs exemplify the elementary essentials of furniture--good materials1 gracefulness1 and thorough workmanship4 ,these are qualities that are to be sought for the cottage as well as for the mansion2 and while they may add to the purchase cost of the separate articles1 it is possible to secure them at no great increase for the whole over the cheaper goods1 provided we guard against the common error in housefurnishing--overpurchasing4 ,illustration3 ,good examples of ,chippendale and old walnut4 ,,the ,,arts ,,and ,,crafts ,what is known in ,america as the arts and crafts movement has1 in its sincere developments1 sought to adapt the better qualities of the old designs of furniture to the demands of modern conditions1 artistic and practical4 ,not always1 however1 has it been possible to distinguish between the honest effort to enforce a better standard and the various forms of charlatanry under which clumsy and unsightly creations have been and are being worked off upon an ingenuous public at prices proportioned to their degrees of ugliness4 ,in colonial times many an humble carpenter vainly scratched his noggin as he puzzled over the hopeless problem of duplicating with rude tools and scant skill the handiwork that graced the lordly mansions of merrie ,england2 to-day some wight who can scarcely distinguish a jackplane from a saw-buck essays to express himself 7at our expense7 in furniture1 repeating all the gaucheries that the colonial carpenter could not avoid making4 ,,mission ,,furniture ,others have set themselves to reproducing the so-called mission furniture which the good priests of early ,california would have rejoiced to exchange for the convenient modern furniture at which the faddist sniffs4 ,but most of us who stop to think1 realize that there is no magic virtue in antiquity of itself4 ,the average man1 at least1 cannot delude himself into the belief that there is comfort to be found in a great deal of the harsh-angled stuff paraded as artistic4 ,let us not be understood1 however1 as hinting that artistic qualities must be disregarded4 ,though furniture should not be chosen for its beauty or associations alone1 it must not be considered at all if beauty is absent4 ,,comfort1 ,,aesthetic ,,and ,,physical ,the first consideration of the home is comfort4 ,let no one dispute that fact4 ,but there is such a thing as being aesthetically as well as physically comfortable4 ,conceptions of physical comfort differ with individuals1 but are usually well defined2 some of us actually have no conception whatever of aesthetic comfort4 ,that is no reason why we should not seek it4 ,probably we had a very faint idea of what good music or good painting was like until we came to an acquaintance with the masters2 but we are surely not sorry to have progressed in experience and feeling4 ,and so it is that though we may not feel specially urged to insist upon tasteful surroundings1 the higher instincts within us that persuade us to make the most of ourselves demand that we shall not be content with mere physical comfort4 ,therefore we may need to look a bit beyond our definite inward aspirations1 and we should not disdain to follow others so far as they adhere to certain well-authenticated canons of good taste4 ,,older ,,models ,,in ,,furniture ,study of the older models of furniture is bound to prove suggestive1 and it is better to secure from the library or bookseller a book by some authority than to depend upon dealers' catalogues1 which are not always edifying4 ,english models affecting present-day outfitting date back as far as the ,elizabethan period1 approximately #aeeh-afjc4 ,following there came the ,early ,jacobean1 the ,early ,queen ,anne1 and the ,georgian4 ,the last includes the work of ,chippendale1 ,heppelwhite1 ,sheraton1 and the ,adams1 all of whom executed some beautiful designs4 ,the so-called colonial furniture belongs also to the ,georgian period1 as does the ,debased ,empire1 corresponding to or following the ,empire styles in ,france4 ,in the latter country the periods of vogue are known as ,francis ,premier1 ,henri ,deux1 ,henri ,quatre1 ,louis ,treize1 ,louis ,quatorze1 ,louis ,quinze1 and ,louis ,seize4 ,under the designation of the ,quaint style ,w4 ,davis ,benn groups the ,liberty1 ,morris1 and arts and crafts designs4 ,mr4 ,benn's ,styles in ,furniture will be found helpful in both text and illustration to those who would learn to distinguish between the products of the various periods4 ,illustration3 ,a ,chippendale secretary4 ,,mahogany ,,and ,,oak ,mahogany and oak are the best materials for furniture4 ,the former is cleverly imitated in a mahoganized birch1 which presents a pleasing appearance and sometimes deceives those who are not familiar with the beautiful rich tones of the genuine article4 ,mahogany adapts itself to almost any sensible style of interior decoration1 is likely to be of careful manufacture1 and is almost invariably cherished for its beauty4 ,like other highly finished woods it takes on a bluish tint in damp weather1 and if not well protected1 will demand attention more frequently than other materials4 ,but if its purchase can be afforded the care given it will scarcely be begrudged4 ,the eggshell 7dull7 finish requires less attention than the higher polish4 ,next in degree to mahogany1 oak in the golden1 weathered1 or fumed effect is handsome and durable1 while it is somewhat less expensive4 ,the moment one drops below genuine mahogany1 however1 a wary eye must be kept upon construction4 ,there are shifts innumerable to make cheap furniture that has an alluring appearance1 and the variety of design in the moderate-priced materials will lead to confusion for those who do not exert a ,spartan discrimination4 ,,substantiality ,to insure satisfaction there must first of all be substantiality--a quality which affects both comfort and appearance4 ,a chair may be beautiful1 it may be comfortable1 at the time of purchase1 but if it be not substantial its glories will soon depart4 ,a superficial view cannot be conclusive4 ,the carefully made article built upon slender lines is often quite as strong as a more rugged creation hastily put together4 ,the chair that is properly constructed may be almost as solid as if it were of one piece1 and still not require a block and tackle to move it4 ,the strongest article is made entirely of wood1 and we find some of the old models so sturdily built that no rounds were required between the legs4 ,in chiffoniers1 dressers1 or side-boards a handsome exterior should not blind us to cheaply constructed drawers4 ,the latter should be of strong material1 properly fitted1 and well sealed4 ,there need be no sagging1 jamming1 or accumulation of dust in drawers that are well constructed4 ,,superfluity ,california1 with its pretty little bungalows1 not only has pointed out to us the possibility of living satisfactorily in a small number of rooms1 but has shown us something in the way of simple furnishings4 ,not until we see what may be done without do we realize how much that is superfluous crowds our floors4 ,a pretty good rule is to test everything first by its usefulness2 if it is not useful1 we may dispense with its purchase4 ,even at that1 it may be necessary to demand that the article shall be not only useful but absolutely indispensable1 for between the beguiling advertisement and the crafty salesman1 almost anything that is manufactured may be proved necessary4 ,at the best we shall probably purchase a-plenty1 and the question of when a house reaches the point of overfurnishing is a difficult one to settle4 ,let one of us1 for instance1 venture at midnight into a dark room--be the apartment ever so large--with nothing but a rocker in it1 and the impression may be gained that the place has been turned into a furniture warehouse4 ,and some persons--none of us1 to be sure6--are never happy while any of the floor or wall space is unoccupied4 ,so the world goes4 ,but if nine out of ten persons bought only what they could not do without1 what they did purchase could be of a great deal better quality4 ,no bit of furniture should be purchased for which there is not a suitable place in the house4 ,a piece may be very attractive in the salesroom1 and its practical qualities may appear irresistible1 while on our own floors it may be perfectly incongruous and perhaps1 on account of its enforced location1 almost useless4 ,if for no other reason1 we should go slow with our purchases because we cannot know the real needs of our home until we have lived in it4 ,experience will make some articles superfluous and substitute what we had not thought to want4 ,there should be a regular saving fund or appropriation for keeping up the house fittings1 and usually it is found that this fund grows more steadily if we have some definite purchases in view4 ,leave some things to be saved up for2 there will be less likelihood then of your being included in that large class to which the newspaper small ads appeal--those who wish to trade what they don't want for what they do want4 ,,hall ,,furniture ,in a hall of the simpler sort the only requirements are a high-backed chair or settee1 a table for cartes de visite1 an umbrella receptacle1 and a mirror wall hanger with hooks for the use of guests4 ,the time-honored halltree is no more1 and long may it rest in peace4 ,if there had been no other reasons for its passing1 its abuse in the average household made it an eyesore4 ,intended only for the convenience of the transient guest1 its hooks were usually prempted by the entire outer wardrobe of the family4 ,a good plan is to have a coat closet built in1 under the stairway or elsewhere near the place of egress1 leaving the few inconspicuous hooks in the hall to afford ample provision for visitors4 ,an appropriation of #ej to #ajj will fit up a small hall very satisfactorily4 ,a pretty hanging lantern of hammered copper1 with open bottom and globe of opalescent glass1 will add more than its cost of #ab4ej to the good impression the hall is to make upon those it receives4 ,,the ,,family ,,chairs ,some good folk would banish the rocker unceremoniously from the living room1 and we might not miss it so much as we think4 ,it is the adaptability of the rocker to comforting positions1 rather than a love of rocking1 that endears the chair to the majority1 and when the same qualities are found in the reclining or easy chair we can well spare the projections that menace skirts and polished furniture1 not to speak of the space they take up4 ,as a general thing it is the man of the house whose comfort is most sedulously looked after4 ,for him the easy chair1 the slippers1 the reading lamp1 the smoking outfit1 the house jacket1 the evening paper4 ,this fact is mentioned in no carping spirit4 ,far be it from one of the less worthy sex to quarrel with the fate that has been ordained for us by our helpmeets2 the latter should not be deprived of a whit of the joy that comes from viewing the lord of the household agreeably situated1 and in that blissful state which breeds a kindly spirit toward all human kind1 including milliners and ladies' tailors4 ,but too frequently the mistress of the household is supposed to pick up her comfort at odd times1 or more likely there isn't any supposition at all4 ,for her1 for the master1 and for the other members of the family1 there must be a personal interest in the living room1 and this is best represented by the most comfortable chair to be had4 ,as persons are built of different heights and breadths1 so the chairs should be4 ,while the slender chap can snuggle down in the most capacious easy chair1 the stout lady may be embarrassed when she finds the one single seat at hand proffering only a scanty breadth4 ,one may well provide for these contingencies1 for of course it is not always possible to select our acquaintances in accordance with the capacity of our furniture4 ,heights1 too1 should be varied somewhat1 though it must be confessed that the joy of life 7for others7 is much increased by the sight of a six-foot 7tall7 gentleman of dignity gradually unfolding himself from the chair that was purchased for the particular use of ,gwendolyn ,ermyntrude1 aged six4 ,,the ,,table ,if the living room1 among its other uses1 takes the place of the library1 the selection of a suitable library table will be a good test of the homemaker's discrimination4 ,the quality of this table should be at least equal to the best we have to show4 ,whether it shall be squared1 or oblong with oval ends1 depends upon tastes2 by all means it should be get-at-able4 ,that's what a library table is for4 ,good designs in arts and crafts may be had as low as #af4ej in a small size2 #gb-;inch1 about #ej4 ,golden oak costs less1 mahogany considerably more4 ,,the ,,davenport ,the davenport in mahogany or oak1 in a plain or striped velour tapestry1 felt filled1 with good springs1 built on straight lines with claw feet1 broad arms1 and heavy back1 is a good article and will not leave much change out of a #ej bill4 ,that represents a fair price for a fair quality1 and it would be better to do without the davenport than to go in for something too cheap4 ,the sort that have detached cushions in soft leather are very nice and practically dustless4 ,the same is true of easy chairs so provided4 ,a handsome weathered-oak davenport with cushions of this kind will be found marked somewhere about #fe1 while half that price pays for an easy chair of the same style4 ,the cushions are filled with felt4 ,springs and fillings in davenports1 easy chairs1 and couches should be most thoroughly investigated4 ,if there are carvings they must be subjected to the severest tests of appropriateness1 and in no event should they be where they will come in frequent contact with other articles or with persons4 ,,bookcases ,bookcases in weathered oak1 with the top sections of the doors in leaded glass1 seem worth the prices at #bh for #cj-;inch1 #dc4ej for #d-;foot1 and #dg4ej for #e-;foot2 yet a simple #cj-;inch golden oak case made in ,grand ,rapids1 and of which no one need be ashamed1 costs but #ad4 ,sectional cases are very convenient1 and are now being designed in artistic styles1 but are not yet altogether approvable for the parlor or living room4 ,for the library simply1 they are to be recommended4 ,bookcases and other heavy pieces should either set solidly upon the floor or have sufficient open space beneath them to permit cleaning4 ,unless their contents are 7mistakenly7 hidden by curtains1 the bookcases should not be placed in too strong sunlight1 as some bindings fade rapidly4 ,nor should they be near the heat radiators1 or against a wall that may possess moisture4 ,the piano1 too1 must be protected against too great heat or moisture1 and in a stone or brick house should be placed against a partition rather than the outside wall4 ,,sundries ,useful1 but not life-or-death essentials1 are a tabouret at1 say1 #c4be1 a footrest for a little less1 and a magazine rack for #e or #aj4 ,the problem of keeping periodicals in easy reach without too much of a litter'ry effect has not yet been solved4 ,the open rack is the best compromise between sightliness and utility1 because it is more apt to be used than the more ambitious arrangements with doors4 ,in the general treatment of the living room the piano and its case are not to be overlooked1 and the presence of a piano also suggests the music cabinet1 with its problem similar to that of the magazine rack4 ,as music is not kept so well stirred up1 however1 the cabinet with a tight door is indicated4 ,,willow ,,furniture ,willow furniture is used extensively in some country homes4 ,it is made of the ,french willow1 and is not so cheap but is stronger than rattan4 ,best rockers in this material sell at about #bj4 ,they are hardly to be considered in the permanent furnishings of the home1 though there is no denying their cleanliness1 coolness1 and comfort1 especially in summer4 ,,the ,,dining ,,table ,for the dining room the sensible preference seems to be for a round table with straight lines of under construction4 ,the pillar base gives least interference with personal comfort1 but even at that seems to be unescapable4 ,what has been said elsewhere about the choice of woods applies here also4 ,the high cost of a large-size mahogany table1 however1 will probably enable us to see some of the special beauties of golden oak4 ,a six-foot round table in the latter wood is priced at about #bj4 ,medium height chairs1 with cane seats1 #b4ge2 leather1 #c4be4 ,sideboards are now usually built in2 otherwise the buffet table1 free from excessive ornamentation1 is given preference4 ,illustration3 ,the dining room4 ,,discrimination ,,in ,,choice ,a great deal of the factory-made furniture of the day is the veriest trash4 ,the best feature of it is that it cannot last long and will not survive to disgrace us in the eyes of a later and perhaps more discriminating generation4 ,for those who reside in flats1 and are deprived of the inducement to plan for permanence1 small blame can attach for hesitancy in making investments in the better sort of furniture that their tastes would lead them to choose4 ,this is the penalty they pay for evading the responsibilities of genuine home life in a house4 ,but good furniture is being built in these days4 ,it is not confined to hand work1 or to the products of long-haired folk who set up a religion of cabinet-making4 ,in every city there are several grades of furniture dealers4 ,at the one extreme there is the house that handles nothing but trash2 at the other the house that handles no trash at all4 ,the latter is the obvious choice2 and if we pay a bit more for safety--well1 do we not pay for our insurance against fire1 and burglars1 and other things8 ,if our house has been planned on a scale commensurate with our means1 we shall find it no extravagance to complete the larger work of outfitting with articles that will bring pleasure and not vexation1 that will need no apologies4 ,surely no employment could be more interesting than the choice of these belongings which shall in many ways influence ourselves and those about us4 ,there is such a range of styles and costs that if we approach the problem intelligently we may express ourselves quite as accurately as though we were amateur craftsmen4 ,indeed1 we must express ourselves1 whether we determine to do so or not2 for if we simply follow our cruder instincts1 as the child selects its toys1 do we not reveal the absence of any real artistic self whatever8 ,,chapter ,v ,,household ,,linen ,most of us women folk have some one dear pet hobby which we love to humor and to cater to1 and which variously expresses itself in china1 bric-a-brac1 books1 collections of spoons or forks1 and other things of beauty and joys forever4 ,but whatever our individual indulgences may be1 one taste we share in common--the love of neat napery4 ,her heartstrings must indeed be toughly seasoned who feels no thrill of pride as she looks upon her piles of shining1 satiny table linen1 and takes account of her sheet1 pillowcase and towel treasure4 ,they are her stocks and bonds1 giving forth daily their bounteous1 beauteous yield of daintiness and comfort1 and paying for themselves many times over by the atmosphere of nicety and refinement which they create4 ,for it is these touches1 unobtrusive by their very delicacy1 which introduce that intangible but very essential quality known as tone into the home harmony4 ,though this is true of all household linen1 it is1 especially so of table linen1 which seems to weave into its delicate patterns and traceries all the light and sunshine of the room1 and to give them back to us in the warming1 quickening good cheer which radiates from a table daintily dressed4 ,its influence refines1 as all that is chaste and pure must refine1 and helps to make of mealtime something more than merely mastication4 ,human nature's daily food seems to lose something of its grossness in its snowy setting1 and to gain a spiritual savor which finds an outlet in feasts of reason and flows of soul4 ,when we have immaculate table linen we dine2 otherwise we simply eat1 and there are whole decades of civilization between the two4 ,,linen1 ,,past ,,and ,,present ,linen is a fabric with a past3 it clothed the high priests of ,israel for their sacred offices1 and comes as a voice from the tombs of ,egypt1 where it enwraps the mummies of the ,pharaohs1 telling of a skill in weaving so marvelous that even our improved machinery of to-day can produce nothing to approach it4 ,and then it comes on down through the centuries to those nearer and dearer days of our grandmothers1 when it was spun and woven by gentle fingers2 while the halo of romance hovers over it even now as the ,german ,hausfrau fills the dowry chest of her daughter in anticipation of the time when she1 in turn1 shall become a housewife4 ,small wonder that we love it1 and guard jealously against a stain on its unblemished escutcheon4 ,,bleached ,,and ,,half-,,bleached ,belfast1 ,ireland1 is the home of linen and damask4 ,there are manufactories in both ,scotland and ,france1 but it is in ,belfast that the fabric attains to the highest perfection1 and ,irish linen has come to be synonymous with excellence of design and weaving and luster--a most desirable trilogy4 ,the prospective purchaser of table linen should go to her task fortified with some information on the subject1 that she may not find herself totally at the mercy of the salesman1 who often knows little about his line of goods beyond their prices4 ,first of all she will probably he asked whether she prefers bleached or unbleached damask4 ,the latter--called half-bleach in trade vernacular--is made in ,scotland and comes in cheap and medium grades alone4 ,though it lacks the choiceness of design and the beauty and fineness of the ,belfast bleached linens1 it is good for everyday wear and quickly whitens when laid in the sun on grass or snow2 while the fact that its cost is somewhat less than that of the corresponding quality in the bleached damask1 and that it wears better1 recommends it to many4 ,occasionally the chemicals used in the bleaching process are made overstrong to hasten whitening1 with the result that the fibers rot after a while and little cut-like cracks appear in the fabric4 ,this is not usual1 but of course the unbleached damask precludes all possibility of such an occurrence4 ,one firm in ,belfast still conscientiously employs the old grass-and-sun system of bleaching1 and their damask is plainly marked ,old ,bleach4 ,the half-bleach is sold both by the yard and in patterns4 ,,damask ,damask1 by the way1 takes its name from the city of ,damascus where the fabric was first made1 and is simply linen so woven that a pattern is produced by the different directions of the thread1 plain damask being the same fabric1 but unfigured4 ,the expression double damask need occasion no alarm2 it does not imply double cost1 a double cloth1 or double anything except a double1 or duplicate1 design1 produced by the introduction of an extra thread so woven in that the figure appears exactly the same on both sides of the cloth1 making it reversible4 ,,quality ,the next thing will be to decide between buying by the yard and buying a pattern cloth in which the border continues without a break all the way around1 adding about ten per cent to the price4 ,the designs in both cloths are the same in corresponding qualities4 ,we are knights and ladies of the round table these days1 and cloths woven specially for use thereon1 with an all-round center design1 come only in patterns4 ,cloths of this description are used also on square tables1 as the wreath effect is very decorative4 ,as to the quality of damask1 it depends not so much upon weight--for the finest cloths are by no means the heaviest--as upon the size of the threads and the closeness and firmness with which they are woven4 ,avoid the loosely woven fabric2 it will neither wear nor look so well as the one in which the threads are more compact4 ,in the better damasks the threads are smoother and finer in finish4 ,,design ,styles in table linens change from time to time and render it difficult to say what may or may not be used with propriety1 except that the general principle of coarse1 heavy-looking designs being in poor taste always holds good4 ,one pattern alone has proven itself1 and stood the test of time so satisfactorily that it is as high as ever in the good housekeeper's favor1 with no prospect of falling from grace--our old friend the dainty1 modest snowdrop1 a quiet1 unobtrusive little figure in a garden array of roses1 ,english violets1 lilacs1 tulips1 irises1 and poppies--for these are flowery times in linens4 ,occasionally we meet with a scroll or fern design1 though the latter is gradually falling into disuse as being too stiff to twine and weave into graceful lines4 ,so true to nature and so exquisitely woven are these posy patterns that they form in themselves a most charming table decoration4 ,in order to secure perfect reproduction a manufacturer in ,belfast has established and maintains a greenhouse where his designers draw direct from the natural flower4 ,this care is but the outgrowth of the more refined living which demands that beauty shall walk hand-in-hand with utility4 ,,price ,,and ,,size ,before our housekeeper starts a-shopping she must lock up her zeal for economy lest it lead her away from the straight and narrow way of good taste into that broader path which leads to the bargain counter4 ,she may as well make up her mind at once that desirable table linen is not cheap1 the sorts offered at a very low price being neither economical nor desirable1 and that a cheap cloth which cheapens all of its surroundings is dearly bought at any price4 ,occasionally the experienced shopper can pick up at a sale of odd-length or soiled damasks something which is really a good offering1 particularly during the annual linen sale which falls in ,january4 ,but as a rule beware of bargains6 ,the fabric is liable to be a second with some imperfection1 or to contain a thread of cotton which gives it a rough look when laundered1 and there is generally a shortage in width--which suggests the advisability of measuring the table top before buying1 for cloths come in different widths1 and one which is too narrow looks out-grown and awkward and--stingy6 ,the average table is about #d feet across1 and requires a cloth #b yards square1 though in buying by the yard it is safe to allow an extra quarter for straightening the edges and hemming4 ,the cloth should hang at least a foot below the edge of the table1 with an increase of half a yard in length for each additional table leaf4 ,a cloth #b yards square will seat four people2 #b by #b #a_/b1 six2 #b by #c1 eight2 #b by #c #a_/b1 ten2 and #b by #d1 twelve4 ,a wider table calls for a half or a quarter of a yard more in the width of the cloth1 at some little additional cost1 as fewer cloths in extra widths are made or called for4 ,usually a good pattern runs through three qualities of table linen1 with napkins in two sizes to match--#bb-;inch for breakfast and luncheon use1 and #bd-;inch for dinner4 ,these are the standard sizes most generally used1 though napkins are to be had both larger and smaller4 ,a napkin should be soft and pliable1 and large enough to cover the knees well4 ,prices on all-linen bleached satin damask pattern cloths1 with accompanying napkins1 are about as appear in the list on the opposite page3 ,,cloths4 ,,good ,,quality4 ,,better4 ,,extra ,,good4 #b x #b yards1 each #b4jj-b4ge #c4ej #d4ej-e4be #b x #b #a_/b #b4ej- #c4ej #d4ej #e4ge- #f4ge #b x #c #c4jj- #d4be #e4be #f4ge- #h4jj #b x #c #a_/b #c4ej- #d4he #f4be #h4jj- #i4be #b x #d #d4jj- #e4ej #g4jj #i4jj-aj4ge #b #a_/d x #b #a_/d #b4ij- #c4ge #d4ej #f4jj- #g4ge #b #a_/b x #b #a_/b #d4be- #d4ej #e4be #g4ej- #h4ge #b #a_/b x #c #e4jj- #e4ej #f4be #i4jj-aj4ej #b #a_/b x #c #a_/b #f4be- #f4ej #g4ej #aj4ej-ab4be #b #a_/b x #d #g4jj- 4444 #h4ej #ab4jj-ad4jj #b #a_/b x #d #a_/b 4444444444 4444 #ac4ej-ad4ge #b #a_/b x #e 4444444444 4444 #ae4jj-ag4ej #b #c_/d x #b #c_/d 4444444444 4444 #aa4jj-ac4jj #c x #c 4444444444 4444 #ae4jj-af4jj #hf x #ij inches1 #c4ej #hf x #ajh #d4be #hf x #acf #e4jj #hf x #add #e4ge ,,napkins4 #bb x #bb inches1 dozen #b4ej-c4jj #c4ge #e4jj-e4ej #bc x #bc #c4jj 4444 #e4be #g4jj- #g4ej #bd x #bd #c4jj- #c4ge 4444 #be x #be #c4ej 4444 #e4be #bg x #bg #f4be- #g4ej 4444 ,the #cx#c yards cloth is called a banquet cloth1 and is one for which the average housekeeper would have little use4 ,,necessary ,,supply ,the amount of table linen to be bought for the first fitting out depends upon the fatness of the pocketbook and the room available for stowing it away4 ,since there are so many other expenses at this time the best way will probably be to buy all that will be needed for a year1 and then add to it one or two cloths with their napkins each succeeding year4 ,three cloths of the right length for everyday use1 and one long family-gathering cloth1 with a dozen napkins to match each1 will be a good start4 ,if the special-occasion cloth seems to be too costly1 two short cloths of duplicate pattern can be substituted for it1 the centerpiece and a clever arrangement of decorations hiding the joining4 ,if table linen is to be stored away and not used for some time after its purchase1 the dressing which it contains must be thoroughly washed out1 else the chemicals are liable to rot the fabric4 ,it is advisable1 too1 to put not-to-be-used damask away rough-dry1 otherwise it may crack1 in the folds4 ,the use of colored table linens is in the worst possible taste1 except on the servants' table4 ,those flaming ferocities known as turkey-red cloths1 which seem to fairly fly at one1 are not only inartistic but altogether too suggestive of economy in laundering to be appetizing table companions4 ,,plain1 ,,hemstitched1 ,,or ,,drawn ,cloths bought by the yard must be evened at the ends by drawing a thread1 and hemmed by hand1 never stitched on the machine4 ,the inch hem of a few years ago has been superseded by the very narrow one which is always in good taste1 regardless of style4 ,napkins come by the piece and must be divided and hemmed on two sides1 rubbing well between the hands first to remove the stiffness4 ,there is nothing handsomer or more elegant than the fine1 hemmed table linen1 but if a hemstitched cloth is desired1 or one containing some drawn-work design1 it is better to buy the material and do the work oneself2 otherwise2 the expense goes into the work1 not the linen1 and the cost is usually about double that of the same cloth plainly finished4 ,hemstitching and fancy work are appropriate only on cloths for the luncheon table1 which may be of either plain or figured damask1 or of heavy linen1 which is often effectively combined with ,battenberg and linen laces4 ,neither drawn work nor hemstitching wears well1 drawing the threads seeming to weaken the fabric4 ,very pretty luncheon cloths can be purchased in different sizes for #a4ej1 #a4ge1 #b4jj1 #b4ge1 etc41 according to size1 material1 and elaboration1 with accompanying napkins1 #ah by #ah inches1 for #b4ej or more a dozen4 ,a cloth just the size of the table top is a convenient luncheon size4 ,these cloths save much wear on the large cloths1 and laundry work as well4 ,,doilies ,,and ,,table ,,dressing ,the pretty present-day fashion of using individual plate doilies on a polished table at breakfast and luncheon is also labor-saving4 ,the plate doilies1 either square1 oval1 or round1 and of plain damask or smooth1 closely woven1 rather heavy linen1 are hemstitched or finished with a padded scallop worked with white cotton4 ,the round doily is most used1 and offers a delightful field to the worker in over-and-over embroidery for the display of her skill4 ,linen lace combinations are also used1 but they are rather for dress-up than for daily use4 ,the plate doilies should be at least #i inches wide1 with smaller corresponding ones on which to set the glass of water or the hot cup1 and an extra one or two for small dishes for relishes and the like that may be kept on the table1 etc4 ,they can he bought for #be cents a piece and upward1 but the average housekeeper enjoys making her own1 taking them for pick-up work4 ,small fringed napkins are also used in the same way1 and for tray covers1 but fringe soon grows to look dog-eared1 and mats in the laundering4 ,still another dressing for the bare table is the long hemstitched linen strip1 #ab inches wide1 which runs the length of the table1 hanging over the end1 and is crossed at the middle by a second strip extending over the sides1 two strips thus seating four people4 ,when six are to be seated the cross-piece is moved to one side and a third corresponding strip placed about #ah inches from it4 ,the list of table linen is incomplete without a damask carving cloth to match each tablecloth1 which it protects from spatterings from the platter4 ,this also may be fashioned of plain linen1 should be about three-quarters of a yard wide and a yard long1 and either hemstitched or scalloped--embroidered1 too1 if one cares to put that much energy into work which will show so little4 ,and then there must be some doilies to overlay the ,canton-flannel-covered asbestos mats for use under hot dishes4 ,,centerpieces ,styles in centerpieces are fleeting2 just now all-white holds sway1 and of a surety there is nothing daintier4 ,although pretty centers can be purchased all the way up from #a1 here again the mistress's industrious fingers come into play1 for there is a certain unbuyable satisfaction in working a little of one's very self into the table adornment1 and really handsome centerpieces are quite expensive4 ,they run in sizes from #ab to #de inches4 ,the center with doilies to match is pretty and desirable4 ,it is quite as easy to arrange them in this way as to gather in an ill-assorted1 mismated collection4 ,those for daily use should be rather simple and of a quality which will not suffer from frequent intercourse with the washtub4 ,,monograms ,the fashion of embroidering monograms on table linen must be handled with care2 the working over-and-over of the padded letters with fine cotton thread is a nice task which requires experience and skill4 ,the cloth monograms are from #b to #c inches high and are placed at one side of the center1 toward the corner4 ,either the full monogram or an initial is appropriate in the corner of the napkin1 and to be in the best taste should never be more than an inch high4 ,these letters are either plain1 in circlets1 or surrounded with running vines1 and add that distinction to the napery which handwork always imparts4 ,,care ,,of ,,table ,,linen ,table linen1 like friendship1 must be kept constantly in repair4 ,look out for the thin places and darn before they have a chance to wear through4 ,ravelings from the cloth should be kept for this purpose4 ,a carefully applied patch or darn is scarcely noticeable after laundering4 ,the hardest wear comes where the cloth hangs over the edge of the table1 at head and foot4 ,when it begins to be thin at these places cut off one end at the worn point1 if the cloth is sufficiently long to warrant it1 and hem the raw edge4 ,this draws the other worn place well up on the table where the friction is much less1 considerably lengthening the life of the cloth4 ,the cut-off end may be converted into fringed napkins1 on which to lay croquettes1 fried potatoes1 etc41 doilies for bread and cake plates1 children's napkins1 or tray covers4 ,old table linen passes through several stages of decline before it becomes absolutely useless2 when too much worn for table purposes it enwraps our bread and cake and strains our jellies1 and when at last it has won the well-earned rest of age1 it still waits in neat rolls to bandage our cuts and bruises4 ,,how ,,to ,,launder ,there is a saying that ,old linen whitens best1 to which we might also add that it looks best1 gaining additional smoothness and gloss with each laundering4 ,table linen should never dry on the line1 but be brought in while still damp1 very carefully folded1 and ironed bone-dry1 with abundant elbowgrease4 ,this is the only way to give it a satin gloss4 ,never use starch4 ,the pieces should be folded evenly and carefully1 with but one crease--down the middle--and not checker-boarded with dozens of lines4 ,centers and large doilies are best disposed of by rolling over a round stick well padded4 ,,table ,,pads ,much wear and tear on both table and cloth is prevented by the use of a double-faced ,canton-flannel pad1 which prevents the cloth from cutting through on the edges1 gives it body1 softens the clatter of the dishes1 and absorbs liquids4 ,it comes in #a #a_/b- and #a #c_/d-yard widths and sells for #fe to #he cents a yard4 ,pads of asbestos are also used1 but are far more expensive4 ,it is a good plan to have two if possible--one for use on the everyday table1 and a longer one to cover the family-gathering table4 ,covers for the sideboard and any small table used in the dining room are of hemstitched or scalloped linen1 either plain or embroidered--never ruffled or fluffy4 ,,ready-,,made ,,bed ,,linen ,buying bed linen is not so very serious a matter4 ,drygoods stores offer sheets and pillowcases ready made to fit any sized bed or pillow at prices little1 if any1 greater than the cost of those made at home4 ,merchants say that they sell one hundred sheets ready made to one by the yard1 which speaks well1 not for their goods alone1 but for the spirit of housewifely economy which maintains that labor saved is time and strength earned4 ,moreover1 the deluded seeker after bed beauty who wastes her precious hours in hemstitching sheets and pillowcases--cotton ones at that--is a reckless spendthrift1 and needs a course in the economics of common sense4 ,nothing is more desirable than the simple elegance of the plain1 broad hem1 nor more disheartening than hemstitching which has broken from its moorings while the rest of the sheet is still perfectly good--a way it has4 ,hem-stitching may answer on linen sheets which are not in constant use1 but ordinarily let us have the more profitable plainness4 ,good sheets are always torn--not cut--and finished with a #b #a_/b- or #c-;inch hem at the top and an inch hem at the bottom1 the finished sheet measuring not less than #b #c_/d yards4 ,there must be ample length to turn back well over the blankets and to tuck in at the foot1 for it is a most irritating sensation to waken in the night with the wool tickling one's toes and scratching one's chin4 ,sheets are to be had in varying widths to suit different sized beds4 ,,price ,,and ,,quality ,the #b #c_/d-yard length in an average sheet of good quality costs #ij cents for a double bed1 #ge cents for a three-quarter bed1 and #de cents for a single bed1 with hemstitched sheets of corresponding quality at the same price4 ,it is hardly worth while to pay more than this1 while very good sheets are to be had for #ge cents1 with a decrease in price as the width decreases4 ,half-bleach double-bed sheets of good quality cost #he and #gj cents1 and so on1 and are more especially for servants' beds4 ,they are popularly supposed to outwear the bleached1 but are somewhat trying bedfellows until whitened4 ,plain or hemstitched pillowcases cost from #be to #ge cents a pair1 each additional width raising the price #e cents4 ,the average or sleeping-size pillow is #bb #a_/b by #cf #a_/b inches1 and calls for a case enough larger to slip on easily1 but not loose nor long enough to hang over the sides of the bed4 ,if pillows of different sizes are in use their cases should be numbered4 ,bed linen should be firmly woven1 with a thread rather coarse than fine4 ,the amount purchased must be regulated by the number of beds to be furnished1 allowing three sheets and three pairs of cases to each4 ,the supply can always be easily added to1 but if expedient for any reason to buy in large quantities1 set apart enough to supply all the beds and keep the rest in reserve1 otherwise it will all give out at once4 ,if the housewife is so unfortunately situated that she is forced to make her own bed linen1 she will do well to buy her material by the piece--#dj to #ej yards4 ,all hems can be run on the machine4 ,,real ,,linen ,though not everyone likes the feel of linen1 most housekeepers are ambitious to include a certain amount with their other bed linens1 for use in the summer or during illness1 because of its non-absorbent qualities4 ,sheets cost #c1 #c4ej1 #d1 #e1 #f1 and on up to #ag1 the more expensive ones being embellished with hemstitching1 scallops1 or lace4 ,pillowcases to correspond sell at from #a4be up4 ,linen for this purpose is always bleached1 the #ij-;inch sheeting being #a to #c a yard1 the #de-;inch pillowcasing #ej cents to #a4ej a yard1 and #ej-;inch casing #ge cents to #b a yard4 ,inch-high monograms or letters may be embroidered in white at the middle of sheets and pillowcases1 just above the hem4 ,when sheets wear thin down the center1 tear and turn1 whipping the selvages together and hemming the torn edges1 which become the new edges of the sheet4 ,old bed linen makes the finest kind of cleaning cloths1 and should be folded neatly away for that purpose1 sheets being reserved for the ironing board4 ,,suggestions ,,about ,,towels ,towels are best purchased by the dozen1 huck of ,irish bleached linen being best for all-around use4 ,these have good absorbent qualities1 plain or hemstitched hems1 measure from #ah by #cf inches to #bd by #db inches1 and cost from #b4ej to #f a dozen4 ,some of these are ,old ,bleach linen1 and therefore both desirable and durable4 ,pass by towels with colored borders2 the colored part is always cotton1 and is in poor taste anyway4 ,some huck towels have damask borders2 other towels are of all-damask1 costing from #f to #ab a dozen1 but huck is the stand-by4 ,fringed towels1 of course1 are not to be considered for a moment4 ,each member of the family should have his own individual towel1 or set of towels1 distinguished by some mark1 particularly children1 who find it hard to learn that towels are for drying1 not cleansing1 purposes4 ,those for their use may be smaller and cheaper4 ,turkish or bath towels are of either cotton or linen1 the latter being more for friction purposes and costing #f to #ab a dozen4 ,the cotton absorbs better and is most generally used for the bath4 ,good values in towels of this kind are to be had for #b4ej1 #b4he1 #c1 and #d4ej a dozen4 ,good crash face cloths cost #e cents and even less4 ,household linens must include1 too1 the #f barred-linen kitchen towels at #aj1 #ab1 or #ae cents a yard1 for drying silver and glass2 and #f heavier towels1 either barred or crash1 for china and other ware1 at the same price1 with #c roller towels at #aj cents per yard2 while last1 but by no means least1 come the dozen neatly hemmed cheesecloth dusters at #e cents a yard1 for men must work and women must sweep--and dust6 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,the ,,kitchen ,the old condition of ,queen-,anne-in-the-front-and-,mary-,ann -in-the-back in the home furnishing1 when the largest outlay of money and taste was put into the front room and the kitchen took the hindermost1 has gradually given way before the fact that a woman is known1 not by the drawing-room1 but by the kitchen1 she keeps4 ,given the requisite qualifications for the proper furnishing1 care1 and ordering of her kitchen1 and it can usually be said of her with truth that she is mistress of the entire home-making and home-keeping situation4 ,if any one room in the home was conceived solely for the relief of man's estate1 that room is the kitchen1 and it has supplied the energy which has sent forth many a one to fight a winning battle with the world1 the flesh1 and the devil2 and while it is1 alas1 too true that it is the rock upon which many a domestic ship has gone to pieces1 it is the true foundation of the home and1 therefore1 of the nation4 ,wherefore let us first look well to our kitchens and then live up to them4 ,,the ,,plan ,the kitchen of our grandmothers was a large1 rambling affair1 with numerous storerooms1 closets1 and pantries1 the care of which involved a stupendous outlay of time and strength4 ,but the demands of our modern and more strenuous life necessitate strict economy of both1 and the result is a kitchen sufficiently large for all practical purposes1 with every space utilized and everything convenient to the hand4 ,the amount of woodwork is reduced to a minimum1 since wood is a harboring place for insects and germs4 ,where it must be used it is of hard wood1 or of pine painted and varnished1 the varnish destroying those qualities in paint which are deleterious to health4 ,the plumbing must be open1 with no dark corners in which dust may hide4 ,odors from cooking pass out through a register in the chimney1 and ventilation is afforded by transom and window4 ,blessed indeed is the kitchen with opposite windows1 which insure a perfect circulation of air4 ,so much for the general working plan4 ,,location ,,and ,,finish ,for some reason best known to themselves architects almost invariably give to the kitchen the location with the least agreeable outlook1 sun and scenery being seemingly designed for the exclusive use of living and dining rooms2 whereas the housekeeper realizes the great value of the sun as an aid to sanitation and as a soul strengthener1 and wishes that its beneficent influence might be shed over kitchen1 cook1 and cookery4 ,but the frequent impossibility of this only increases the necessity for simulating sunshine within1 and so we select cream white1 warm1 light grays or browns1 ,indian red1 or bronze green--which is particularly good with oak woodwork--for walls and ceilings4 ,waterproof paper may be used1 but is not particularly durable4 ,far better is the enameled paint1 requiring three coats1 or painted burlap4 ,or our thoughts may turn with longing to a white-tiled kitchen1 with its air of spotless purity1 but1 too often1 beyond the reach of you and me4 ,why not substitute for it the white marbled oilcloth which produces much the same effect1 and can be smoothly fitted if a little glue is added to the paste with which it is put on8 ,a combination of white woodwork with blue walls and ceiling is charming1 particularly where the blue-enameled porcelain-lined cooking utensils are used1 and the same idea can be carried out in the floor covering4 ,white with yellow is also dainty4 ,calcimine is not desirable in the kitchen1 as it cannot be cleaned and is1 therefore1 unsanitary4 ,two tablespoonfuls of kerosene added to the cleaning water will keep woodwork1 walls1 and ceilings fresh and glossy4 ,a long-handled mopholder fitted with a coarse carriage sponge will facilitate the cleaning of the latter4 ,illustration3 ,the kitchen4 ,,the ,,floor ,despite the fact that we are enjoined to look up1 not down1 the floor seems to be the focal point to anyone entering the kitchen1 and it becomes a source of pride or humiliation to the occupant according to its condition4 ,a beautiful1 snowy hardwood floor1 clean enough to eat on1 is a delight1 but it has such an insatiable appetite for spots after the newness has worn off that it requires frequent scrubbing--twice a week at least--and on a dry day1 if possible1 with doors and windows opened during the operation1 all of which means energy misapplied4 ,to be sure1 the new colonial cotton-rag rugs1 woven in harmony with the general color scheme1 protect the floor and help to relieve the strain of much standing1 and can he washed and dried as satisfactorily as any piece of cotton cloth2 while raw oil1 applied with a soft cloth or a handful of waste every two months1 will keep the floor in good condition4 ,but the housekeeper who chooses the better part covers her floor with linoleum at comparatively small cost1 a piece good both in quality and design selling at #fj cents a square yard4 ,in this1 too1 the color idea can be carried out1 the smaller designs being preferable4 ,neutral tints follow wood-carpeting designs1 are neat1 and less apt to soil than the lighter patterns4 ,it is a wise plan in buying to allow enough linoleum for three smaller pieces to be placed before stove1 table1 and sink1 thus saving wear and tear on the large piece4 ,thus covered1 the floor is easily cleaned with a damp cloth4 ,it must be thoroughly swept once a day1 followed by a general dusting of the room1 with brushings up between times4 ,,the ,,windows ,kitchen windows must he washed once a week--oftener in fly time4 ,a dainty valance1 or sash curtains of muslin1 dimity1 or other summer wash goods1 give an attractive and homey touch to the room4 ,each window should have a shade with a double fixture1 fastened at the middle of the casement and adjusted upward and below from that point4 ,,the ,,sink ,the sink1 unless it is porcelain-lined1 should be kept well painted and enameled1 white being preferable to any color4 ,faucets can be kept bright by rubbing with whiting and alcohol1 followed by a vigorous polishing with a bit of flannel4 ,it surely cannot be necessary to suggest the dangers arising from an untidy sink in which refuse of various kinds--tea leaves1 coffee grounds1 vegetable parings1 and the like--is allowed to accumulate4 ,unsanitary conditions about the sink not only are unsightly1 but attract roaches and breed germs which are a menace to life and health4 ,the rinsing water from coffee and tea pots and cooking utensils should be poured into the sink strainer1 which catches the odds and ends of refuse and keeps them from clogging the drain pipe4 ,grease must never be poured into the sink1 nor dish nor cleaning cloths used after they are worn enough to shed lint4 ,boiling water and ammonia should be poured down the drain pipe once a day1 which treatment must be supplemented once a week with a dose of disinfectant--chloride of lime1 copperas1 or potash in boiling water4 ,an occasional inspection by a plumber makes assurance doubly sure that the condition of the drain pipe is as it should be4 ,all refuse ought to be burned at once or put into a covered garbage can and disposed of as soon as possible4 ,the can itself must be scalded every day with sal soda water1 thoroughly dried1 and lined with thick1 clean paper4 ,,the ,,pantry ,the same treatment accorded the kitchen in decoration and care must be bestowed also upon the pantry1 which should be dry and well ventilated4 ,after a thorough scrubbing with soap and water1 with the aid of a dish mop rinse the shelves with boiling water1 dry carefully1 and cover with plain white paper1 using the ornamental shelf paper for the edges4 ,white table oilcloth makes a good covering1 and comes specially prepared with a fancy border for that purpose4 ,the convenient pantry is equipped with both shelves and drawers1 the latter to contain the neatly folded piles of dish1 glass1 and hand towels1 cheesecloth dusters1 holders1 and cleaning cloths4 ,there are usually four shelves1 the top one being reserved for articles of infrequent use4 ,on the others are arranged the kitchen dishes1 pans1 and all utensils which do not hang1 together with jars and cans containing food4 ,leave nothing in paper bags or boxes to attract insects1 soil the shelves1 and give a disorderly appearance to an otherwise tidy pantry4 ,glass fruit jars are desirable repositories for small dry groceries--tea1 coffee1 rice1 tapioca1 raisins1 currants1 and the like--though very dainty and serviceable covered porcelain jars in blue and white are made especially for this purpose1 those of medium size costing #be cents each1 the smaller ones less1 the larger more4 ,jars or cans of japanned tin1 designed for like use1 are less expensive1 but also less attractive1 and in the course of time are liable to rust1 particularly in summer1 or where the climate is at all damp4 ,the shelves should be wiped off and regulated once a week1 and crockery and utensils kept as bright and shining as plenty of soap and hot water can make them4 ,the pantry requires special care during the summer1 when dust and flies are prone to corrupt its spotlessness4 ,a wall pocket hung on the door will be found a convenient dropping place for twine1 scissors1 and papers4 ,,insects ,,and ,,their ,,extermination ,it is not just pleasant to associate cockroaches and ants with our kitchens and pantries1 but where heat and moisture and food are1 there insects will be also1 for they seem to enjoy a taste of high life and to thrive on it4 ,keep the house clean1 dry1 and well aired1 and all dish and cleaning cloths sweet and fresh by washing and drying immediately after use1 with a weekly boiling in borax water2 dispose carefully of all food1 and then wage a war of extermination4 ,this is all that will avail in an insect-infested house4 ,hunt out1 if possible1 the nests or breeding places of ants and saturate with boiling water or with kerosene4 ,wash all woodwork1 shelves1 and drawers with carbolic-acid water and inject it into any crack or opening where the pests appear4 ,it has been suggested that ants can be kept out of drawers and closets by a dead line drawn with a brush dipped in corrosive sublimate one ounce1 muriate of ammonia two ounces1 and water one pint1 while a powder of tartar emetic1 dissolved in a saucer of water1 seems to be effective in driving them away4 ,sponges wet with sweetened water attract them in large numbers1 and when full should be plunged in boiling water4 ,another successful trap is a plate thinly spread with lard1 this also to be dropped into boiling water when filled4 ,in order to protect the table from an invasion stand the legs in dishes of tar water to a depth of four inches4 ,ants have a decided distaste for the odors of pennyroyal and oil of cedar1 a few drops of either on bits of cotton frequently sufficing to drive them away entirely4 ,as for cockroaches1 there appear to be almost as many exterminators as there are housewives2 but what is their poison in one home seems to make them wax and grow fat in another4 ,borax and powdered sugar1 scattered thickly over shelves and around baseboards and sink1 is a favorite remedy with many1 but it is an unsightly mess1 particularly in summer1 when the sugar melts and becomes sticky4 ,after all1 experience has demonstrated that the one really effectual method of extermination is to besiege the roaches in their own bailiwick--the pipes and woodwork about the sink--with a large bellows filled with a good1 reliable insect powder4 ,exit roaches6 ,,the ,,refrigerator ,,and ,,its ,,care ,the refrigerator may or may not stand in the pantry1 according to convenience1 or as there is sewer connection for it4 ,some authorities maintain that there is grave danger from sewer gas where the refrigerator is connected directly with the sewer1 and that1 therefore1 the only safe way to dispose of the waste water is to catch it in a pan placed beneath the refrigerator1 unless the house is so built that the waste pipe can be continued down into the cellar and there empty its contents into a sink4 ,a good1 zinc-lined refrigerator1 interlined with charcoal1 with a hundred-pound capacity1 a removable ice pan1 which facilitates cleaning1 and three shelves1 is to be had for #af4ej4 ,in selecting a refrigerator it is well to choose one of medium size1 as a larger one entails waste of ice1 while a smaller necessitates the placing near together of foods which should be kept apart1 as butter and milk with fish1 fruit1 etc4 ,if one cares to invest in the higher-priced refrigerators1 of course those lined with tile1 porcelain1 or enamel are very desirable1 as they are easily kept clean and do not absorb odors4 ,but for the average income and use1 a first-class zinc-lined refrigerator answers every purpose4 ,it should be thoroughly cleansed1 on the mornings when the ice is to be renewed1 with hot sal soda water followed by a cold bath and a thorough drying4 ,the drain pipe must not be overlooked1 but given the same sal soda treatment1 otherwise it becomes coated and a fruitful source of germs4 ,if1 after this has been done1 a musty odor still clings about the refrigerator1 remove the shelves and boil in the clothes boiler for twenty minutes4 ,pieces of charcoal placed in the corners of the refrigerator and frequently renewed will absorb much of the odor4 ,never place warm food in the refrigerator1 nor food of any kind on the shelves1 unless it is first placed on a plate or platter4 ,it is economy to keep the ice chamber well filled1 and all ice should be well washed before being placed therein4 ,some housekeepers cover the ice1 with newspapers or carpet4 ,this no doubt helps to preserve it1 but it also keeps the cold from the food chambers4 ,no food and nothing containing it should ever be placed directly on the ice4 ,,furnishing ,,the ,,kitchen ,and now1 having cleaned and decorated our kitchen and pantry1 and provided for the refrigeration and partial disposal of our food1 suppose we turn our attention to the fascinating task of selecting the different parts of the machinery which turns out that finished masterpiece--a perfect meal--bearing in mind in the meantime that the saying1 ,art is the expression of joy in one's work1 applies to nothing more truly than to the art of cookery1 and that no tools necessary to its perfect success nor to her comfort and convenience should be denied that master artist1 the cook1 be she mistress or maid4 ,,the ,,stove ,of paramount importance is1 of course1 the stove1 and what kind it shall be1 whether gas1 coal1 or oil4 ,those of us who have grown accustomed to the immunity from those inevitable accompaniments of a coal range1 ashes1 soot1 dust1 and heat1 afforded by the gas range1 with its easily regulated broiler and oven1 could hardly be persuaded to go back to first principles1 as it were1 and the coal range4 ,but when this is necessary1 either for warmth or because there is no gas connection in the house1 one has a wide choice of first-class stoves and can hardly go astray in selecting one4 ,twenty-one dollars will buy a good1 durable stove with all modern improvements and a large oven4 ,a stove with the same capacity but manufactured under a world-famous name sells for #cb1 while between the two in price is one at #bh4 ,two firms manufacture1 in connection with their regular line of ranges1 a three-plate gas stove which can be attached directly to the range1 and sells for #f4 ,a portable steel oven1 covering two burners1 for use on gas and oil stoves alike1 adds to the convenience of the gas plate1 and sells for #b4 ,if a gas range is desired1 an excellent one with a large oven1 broiler1 and all conveniences may be purchased for #ah1 one with a smaller oven for #ae4 ,it might be well to suggest in passing that a small oven is poor economy4 ,water backs1 for both gas and coal ranges1 are #c4ej each4 ,where gas is unobtainable a three-burner wickless oil-stove plate will be found to give very good satisfaction1 and can be placed on the coal range or on a table or box4 ,the range of the same capacity is #a more1 with an increase in price corresponding with the number of burners1 until we have the five-burner stove at #aa4 ,to do away with the odor which is apt to result from the use of oil as fuel1 remove the burners1 boil in sal soda water1 dry thoroughly1 and return to the stove4 ,in setting up a stove look carefully to it that the height is right1 otherwise the cook's back is sure to suffer4 ,if too low1 blocks can be placed under the legs to raise it to a comfortable height4 ,a whisk broom hung near the stove is useful in removing crumbs1 dust1 etc41 and keeping it tidy4 ,a rack behind the stove1 on which to hang the spoons and forks used in cooking1 is a great convenience and a saving to the table top4 ,,the ,,table ,,and ,,its ,,care ,the table should stand on casters and be placed in a good light as far from the stove as may be4 ,the latest product of the manufacturer's genius in this line contains two drawers--one spaced off into compartments for the different knives1 forks1 and spoons for kitchen use--a molding board1 and three zinc-lined bins1 one large one for wheat flour1 and two smaller one for graham flour1 corn meal1 etc4 ,when one considers the economy of steps between kitchen and pantry which it makes possible1 its price1 #f4ge1 is not large1 while it obviates the necessity for purchasing bins and molding board4 ,our friend1 the white table oilcloth1 tacked smoothly in place1 gives a dainty top which is easily kept clean with a damp cloth--another labor-saving device1 which stands between cook and scrubbing brush4 ,a zinc table cover is preferred by some housewives1 as it absorbs no grease and is readily brightened with scouring soap and hot water4 ,separate zinc-covered table tops can be had for #a4ej4 ,the marble-topped table is not desirable1 for1 though it undoubtedly is an aid to the making of good pastry1 it stains easily1 dissolves in some acids1 and clogs with oils4 ,the easiest way to keep the table clean and neat is simply to--keep it so4 ,when the mixing of cake1 pudding1 etc41 is in process1 a large bowl should be near at hand1 and into it should go egg beater1 spoons1 and forks when the cook is through using them1 after which they1 with all other soiled utensils1 should be carried to the sink1 washed1 dried1 and put away4 ,never lay eggshells upon the table nor allow anything to dry on the utensils4 ,if1 as occasionally happens even in the best-regulated kitchens1 one is baking in too great a hurry to observe all these precautions1 a heavy paper spread on the table will catch all the droppings and can be rolled up and burned4 ,jars containing sugar1 spices1 etc41 which have been in use1 should be wiped with a damp cloth before returning to the pantry4 ,,the ,,chairs ,the first aid to the cook should be at least one comfortable chair1 neither a rocking chair nor one upholstered1 both of which are out of place in the kitchen2 but one low enough to rest in easily while shelling peas or doing some of the numerous tasks which do not require the use of the table4 ,a chair of this kind has a cane seat and high back and can be purchased for #a4be1 the other chair to be of the regulation kitchen style at #ee cents4 ,the second aid is a #bd-;inch office stool at #he cents1 for use while washing dishes1 preparing vegetables1 etc4 ,this sort of a stool is light1 easily moved about1 and means a great saving in strength4 ,though it has sometimes been dubbed a nuisance by the uninitiated1 the woman who has learned its value finds it a very present help and wonders how she ever did without it4 ,,the ,,kitchen ,,cabinet ,occasionally it happens that a house is built with such slight regard for pantry room that we are constrained to wonder if1 at the last minute1 the pantry was not tucked into a little space for which there was absolutely no other use1 and there left to be a means of grace to the thrifty housewife1 whose pride it is to see her pots and pans in orderly array and with plenty of room to shine in4 ,at this point there comes to her rescue the kitchen cabinet1 which not only relieves the congestion in the pantry1 but adds in no small measure to the attractiveness of the kitchen4 ,these cabinets come in the natural woods1 and should1 as nearly as possible1 match the woodwork of the kitchen4 ,many have the satin finish which renders them impervious to grease1 and all are fitted out with molding boards1 shelves1 cupboards1 and drawers of various sizes4 ,so convenient is a cabinet of this kind1 and so economical of steps1 that it might well be called the complete housewife4 ,first and foremost1 it accommodates the kitchen dishes1 plates1 platters1 and saucers1 standing on edge of course1 with cups hanging from small hooks1 and pitchers1 bowls1 etc41 variously arranged4 ,then come the jars of spice1 sugar1 salt1 tea1 and coffee--all groceries1 in fact1 which are in most frequent use4 ,where the decorative design in both jars and dishes is carried out in the blue and white1 with a utensil or two of the same coloring1 the effect is truly charming1 though this is1 of course1 a matter of individual taste4 ,the cupboards are handy hiding places for the less ornamental bottles1 brushes1 etc41 while the base1 which is really nothing more nor less than a very complete kitchen table1 usually has a shelf for kettles1 stone jars1 etc4 ,a good cabinet can be had for #aj1 a more commodious one for #af1 and so on4 ,the cabinets without bases range from a tiny one1 just large enough to hold six spice jars1 at #a1 to one1 with five drawers1 shelves1 and cupboards with glass doors1 for #f4 ,any price beyond this simply means elaboration of design without additional increase of capacity or convenience4 ,,kitchen ,,utensils ,in selecting dishes and cooking utensils it is well to remember that cheapness does not always spell economy1 and that one buys not alone for the present1 but for the future as well4 ,utensils which require scouring are not economical1 either1 for scouring is friction1 and friction means loss of energy4 ,scouring has gone out with the heavy ironware which required it1 in whose stead we have the pretty porcelain enamel ware and the less expensive agate ware1 both of which need only a thorough washing in hot1 soapy water1 rinsing in boiling water1 and careful drying4 ,ware of this kind helps to produce the kitchen restful1 and so1 indirectly1 the cook rested4 ,a well-cared-for kitchen is always more or less attractive1 but why not make it rather more so than less8 ,taste and harmony add nothing to the expense of furnishing1 and there is a certain dignity and inspiration1 as well as satisfaction1 in being able to bring forth butter in a lordly dish4 ,kitchen crockery is being rapidly supplanted by the porcelain enamel dishes1 which1 though rather more expensive in the beginning1 are unbreakable1 and so cheaper in the long run4 ,they are even invading the domain of the faithful yellow mixing bowl and becoming decidedly popular therein1 being light in weight and more easily handled4 ,the complete equipment of the kitchen is a more costly operation than one is apt to imagine1 individual items amounting comparatively to so little4 ,but the sum total is usually a rather surprising figure4 ,and so1 remembering that ,rome was not built in a day1 carefully select those things which are really the essentials of every day1 adding the useful non-essentials bit by bit4 ,the size and number of utensils must be governed by the size of the family in which they are to be used4 ,never buy anything of copper for kitchen use1 as the rust to which it is liable is a dangerous poison4 ,there is one utensil only which is better to be of iron--the soup kettle--as it makes possible the slow simmering which is necessary for good soups and stews4 ,it is not worth while to buy knives of anything but wrought steel1 which are best cleaned with pumice stone4 ,cheesecloth for fish bags and strainers1 and strong cotton for pudding bags must not be overlooked4 ,and so1 with kitchen complete1 artistic1 and satisfactory in every detail1 it remains but to emphasize two facts--that perfect cleanliness is absolutely essential to health1 and that she who looketh well to the ways of her kitchen eateth not the bread of idleness4 ,the following list may be too extensive for some purposes1 not suited to others1 but out of it the new housekeeper can select what she thinks her establishment will need1 and estimate the price of stocking her kitchen with those necessaries which make for good housekeeping3 #a dozen individual jelly molds444444444444444444444444 #j4fj #a griddle444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#ce #a small funnel4444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#jc #a large funnel4444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#jf #a gas toaster444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#ee #a coal toaster444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#jh #a gas broiler444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#fe #a coal broiler444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#cb #a six-quart iron soup kettle44444444444444444444444444 #a4ej #a skimmer444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#ad #a small ladle44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#ji #a porcelain enamel dipper44444444444444444444444444444 4#dj #a porcelain enamel sink strainer4444444444444444444444 4#dj #a towel rack444444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#aj #a clock44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 #a4jj #a pure sieve1 with pestle4444444444444444444444444444 4#ah #b galvanized iron refrigerator pans4444444444444444444 4#ej #a dozen dish towels4444444444444444444444444444444444 4 #a4bj #f dishcloths444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#cj #a set of scales4444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#ie #a vegetable slicer4444444444444444444444444444444444 44 4#be #b butter paddles444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#ab #a can opener4444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#jh #a potato ricer44444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#be #a apple corer44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#je #a chopping bowl444444444444444444444444444444444444 444 4#ae #a tea kettle4444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 #a4je #a ice pick444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#ab #a pair scissors44444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#bc #a scrub brush44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#bj #a sink brush44444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#jh #a mop handle4444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#ch #a oil can4444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#ce #a whisk broom44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#ae #a small porcelain enamel pitcher4444444444444444444444 4#bf #a two-quart porcelain enamel pitcher444444444444444444 4#ee #a cake turner4444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#jh #a porcelain enamel wash basin4444444444444444444444444 4#bh #a potato scoop44444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#ah #a towel roller4444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#aj #a rolling-pin44444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#ae #a four-quart porcelain enamel saucepan1 with cover4444 4#eg #a eight-quart porcelain enamel bread bowl4444444444444 4#gb #a gravy strainer44444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#ah #a nutmeg grater4444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#ji #a spatula444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#be #a egg beater4444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#aj #a dish mop4444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#je #b iron baking pans444444444444444444444444444444444444 4#bj #a collander4444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#ce #a ten-inch porcelain enamel bowl4444444444444444444444 4#ce #b eight-inch porcelain enamel bowls4444444444444444444 4#dh #c five-inch porcelain enamel bowls44444444444444444444 4#cc #a fryer and basket4444444444444444444444444444444444 44 #a4ej #d bread pans444444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#fj #a two-quart double boiler44444444444444444444444444444 4#ie #b dish pans 7agate7444444444444444444444444444444444 44 #a4aj #a omelet pan4444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#aj #a porcelain enamel teapot44444444444444444444444444444 4#fe #a porcelain enamel coffeepot44444444444444444444444444 4#he #f porcelain enamel plates44444444444444444444444444444 4#gh #a porcelain enamel platter4444444444444444444444444444 4#dj #a porcelain enamel platter 7small744444444444444444444 4#ce #f porcelain enamel cups and saucers4444444444444444444 #a4ad ,dredging boxes for salt1 pepper1 and flour444444444444 4#ce #c pie tins4 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44 4#ab #a galvanized iron garbage can1 with cover4444444444444 4#ej #a large dripping pan4444444444444444444444444444444444 4#ag #a small dripping pan4444444444444444444444444444444444 4#ae #a lemon squeezer44444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#je #a molding board44444444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#dj #d layer-cake tins444444444444444444444444444444444444 4 4#af #b porcelain sugar jars44444444444444444444444444444444 4#ej #f porcelain spice jars44444444444444444444444444444444 4#fj #a half-pint tin cup44444444444444444444444444444444444 4#je #a six-quart milk pan4444444444444444444444444444444444 4#bc #a four-quart milk pan444444444444444444444444444444444 4#ag #c wrought-steel knives44444444444444444444444444444444 4#dh #c wrought-steel forks444444444444444444444444444444444 4#dh #a egg spoon44444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444 4#jh #a dozen muffin rings4444444444444444444444444444444444 4#df #a biscuit pan4444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#be #a round fluted cake tin4444444444444444444444444444444 4#ab #b basting spoons4444444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#bd #f kitchen knives4444444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#ej #f kitchen forks44444444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#ej #f kitchen teaspoons4444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#dh #c kitchen tablespoons44444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#ae #c asbestos mats444444444444444444444444444444444444 444 4#ae #a chopping knife44444444444444444444444444444444444 444 4#bj #a wire dishcloth4444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#ab #a flour scoop44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#ai #a sugar scoop44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#aj #a meat grinder444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 #a4ej #a soap shaker4444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#aj #a flour sifter4444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#be #a coffee mill444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#ej #b measuring cups444444444444444444444444444444444444 44 4#ae #a meat fork444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#ji #a larding needle4444444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#aj #b brooms4444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#fj #a long-handled hair broom44444444444444444444444444444 #a4de #a dustpan444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#ab #a scouring box4444444444444444444444444444444444444 444 4#ej #a draining rack444444444444444444444444444444444444 444 4#aj #a bread knife44444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#be #a cake knife44444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#bj #a meat knife 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4 4#ee #a peeling knife44444444444444444444444444444444444 4444 4#aj #a bread box4444444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#gj #a cake box4444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#gj #a three-quart porcelain enamel saucepan444444444444444 4#cf #a oblong loaf-cake tin44444444444444444444444444444444 4#ae #a jelly mold444444444444444444444444444444444444 444444 4#cj #a wooden spoon44444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#je #a salt box4444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444 4#be #a pepper box4444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444 4#aj #a graduated quart measure44444444444444444444444444444 4#af #c small vegetable brushes44444444444444444444444444444 4#ae #a dozen glass fruit jars444444444444444444444444444444 4#fj #b two-quart porcelain enamel saucepans4444444444444444 #a4jj #a grater4444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444 4#ah #a paper scrub pail444444444444444444444444444444444444 4#be #b two-quart agate pans44444444444444444444444444444444 4#cf ,,chapter ,,vii ,,the ,,laundry ,what visions of dampness and disorder1 of air malodorous with steam and soap1 of meals delayed and hurriedly prepared1 of tempers ruffled and the domestic machinery all disarranged and the discomforts of home prominently in the foreground1 are called forth by that magic word--washday6 ,and yet1 maligned though it be1 it really is the day of all the week the best2 for does it not minister more than any one other to our comfort and self-respect and general well-being8 ,it may be blue ,monday or blue ,tuesday or blue any-other-day1 but we very soon come out of the azure when it is achieved and we find ourselves entering upon another week's enjoyment of that virtue which is akin to godliness4 ,in the brief interim of upheaval we may possibly wish we could hark back to the days of the forty-niner1 who solved his individual problem of personal cleanliness by simply dropping his soiled clothing into a boiling spring1 where it was turned and churned and twisted and finally flung out1 a clean and purified testimonial to ,mother ,nature's ability as a laundress4 ,or perhaps the pretty pastoral of the peasant girl knee deep in the brook1 rubbing her household linen on the stones1 hath even greater charms4 ,but the trouble is that we are neither forty-niners nor peasants1 but just plain1 latter-day housekeepers with a laundry problem to face1 and finding that it1 like most other problems1 is best solved by attacking it boldly1 systematically1 and according to certain fixed rules4 ,illustration3 ,the laundry4 ,,laundry ,,requisites ,the home laundry must be well ventilated and lighted1 and in the basement if possible1 for obvious reasons1 the chief being the relief thus afforded to the otherwise congested kitchen and overburdened kitchen stove1 while at the same time one other menace to health--the steam generated by the washing and drying--is removed from the main part of the house4 ,it is highly essential that the laundry be properly and completely equipped for the work of washing1 boiling1 drying1 and ironing4 ,stationary tubs are much to be desired1 those porcelain-lined being more sanitary than either soapstone1 which has a tendency to absorb grease1 or wood1 which absorbs the uncleanness from the soiled linen4 ,it is especially necessary that the tubs be as impervious as possible when the linen is soaked overnight4 ,if tubs are to be bought1 the paper ones have a decided advantage over the more well-known cedar ones in being much lighter and consequently more easily handled1 with only a slight difference in price4 ,it seems so well worth while to minimize the strain of heavy lifting when and wherever one can1 since washing at best involves much hard work and fatigue4 ,,the ,,stove ,,and ,,furnishings ,the stove for laundry use may be either gas1 oil1 or coal1 the latter being considered the most economical of fuel1 while it often comes in very handy in the preparation of foods which require long stewing or simmering4 ,the wringer should be of medium size1 either wooden or iron-framed1 the former having the advantage of lightness1 the latter of strength4 ,the screws must be loosened after each washing and thoroughly dried4 ,any particles of rust can be removed with kerosene4 ,the following list gives a very fair idea of the essentials of the well-furnished laundry1 and their cost3 #b paper tubs44444444444444444444444444444444 #b4dj #a wringer444444444444444444444444444444444 44 #c4ge #a block-tin boiler with copper bottom4444444 #b4ae #a washboard4444444444444444444444444444444 44 4#be #a paper pail44444444444444444444444444444444 4#be #a long-handled starch spoon44444444444444444 4#jh #a long-handled dipper44444444444444444444444 4#ab #a set clothes bars 4444444444444444444444444 4#ie #a wash bench 4444444444444444444444444444444 4#ge #a fifty-foot hemp line4444444444444444444444 4#bj #a ironing board1 or 7 4444444444444444444444 4#ie #a skirt-board 7 4444444444444444444444 4#ej #c ,mrs4 ,potts' nickel-plated irons44444444444 #b4he #a sleeve and ruffle iron44444444444444444444 4#ce #a iron rest444444444444444444444444444444444 4#jh #a clothes stick44444444444444444444444444444 4#aj #a clothes basket4444444444444444444444444444 4#hj #e dozen clothespins4444444444444444444444444 4#aj #b pieces beeswax4444444444444444444444444444 4#je ,,irons ,,and ,,holders ,if the ordinary flatirons are preferred1 they may be had at #e cents a pound4 ,they require1 of course1 the use of a good1 stout holder1 asbestos covered with ticking affording the best protection to the hand4 ,slip cases are nice for use of this kind1 as they can be taken off and washed4 ,pad the ironing board with ,canton flannel or a coarse blanket1 then draw tightly over it a white cotton cloth and fasten on the under side4 ,the padding must be absolutely smooth and without a wrinkle4 ,and there must be a piece of cheesecloth with which to wipe possible dust from the line1 a scrubbing brush for the cleaning-up process which closes the washing drama1 and the various preparations used to remove stains and assist in the cleansing of the linen and clothing--borax1 starch1 bluing1 ammonia1 oxalic acid1 soda1 kerosene1 turpentine1 etc4 ,,preparing ,,the ,,wash ,with all the properties in readiness1 the fire burning well1 and plenty of hot water to draw upon1 the curtain rises on the laundress sorting the flannels1 table linen1 fine underwear1 towels1 and bed linen1 colored clothes and stockings into separate piles1 each to be disposed of in its turn1 from fine articles down through to coarse1 laying aside any which have stains4 ,these stains she removes in a variety of ways1 according to their nature1 but removed they must be before going into the tub1 where1 in most instances1 the hot suds will render them ineradicable1 although it has the reverse effect on dirt4 ,it is a wise plan to mark1 with a black thread before putting in the wash1 any stains which are apt to be overlooked by the laundress1 and those on large pieces1 such as bedspreads4 ,,removing ,,stains ,the removal of stains from white goods is comparatively easy4 ,fruit and wine stains are removed by stretching the fabric over a bowl and pouring boiling water through the stain1 repeating until it disappears4 ,boiling milk is sometimes applied successfully to wine stains in the same way4 ,a thick layer of salt rubbed into the stained portion and followed with the boiling-water treatment is also effective4 ,obstinate fruit stains yield to a thorough moistening with lemon1 a good rubbing with salt 7a combination which is to be found all prepared at the drug store under the name of ,salts of ,lemon71 and the application of boiling water4 ,when nothing else avails1 immerse the stained portion in a weak solution of ,javelle water--one half cup to one pail of boiling water--allow it to soak a few minutes1 and then rinse thoroughly4 ,javelle water can be procured of the druggist1 but is as well prepared at home by dissolving four pounds of ordinary washing soda in one gallon of water1 boiling ten minutes1 and then adding to it one pound of chloride of lime4 ,it should be kept well corked1 and resorted to in extreme cases alone1 as it is violent in its action on the clothes4 ,for this reason special care must be given to rinsing after its use4 ,tea and coffee stains usually surrender to boiling water1 but if they prove obdurate rub in a little powdered borax and pour on more boiling water4 ,chocolate stains can be removed in the same way4 ,sprinkling the stain with borax and soaking first in cold water facilitates the action of the boiling water4 ,rub iron rust with lemon and salt1 and lay in the sun1 repeating until the spot disappears4 ,this is usually all that is necessary1 but if the stain is very stubborn1 spread over a bowl containing one quart of water and one teaspoonful of borax4 ,apply hydrochloric acid1 drop by drop1 to the stain until it brightens1 then dip at once into the water4 ,if an ink stain is fresh1 soak in milk1 renewing the milk when it becomes discolored4 ,if very dry and well set use lemon and salt or the ,javelle-water treatment4 ,mildew1 which results from allowing damp clothes to lie in the basket for a length of time1 is obstinate and difficult to remove4 ,boil in salted buttermilk2 or wet with lemon juice and stand in the sun4 ,if these treatments are ineffectual1 resort to diluted oxalic acid or ,javelle water1 a careful rinsing to follow the application4 ,grass stains may be treated in a like manner1 or washed in alcohol4 ,ammonia and water1 applied while the stain is fresh1 will often remove it4 ,remove paint stains with benzene or turpentine1 machine oil with cold water and ,ivory soap1 vaseline with turpentine4 ,peroxide of hydrogen applied to blood stains while they are still moist causes them to disappear at once4 ,soaking in cold water till the stains turn brown1 then washing in warm water with soap is the usual treatment4 ,if the stain is on thick goods1 make a paste of raw starch and apply several times4 ,pencil marks on linen should be rubbed off with an eraser1 as hot water sets them4 ,soap and water is the best agent for removing stains from colored goods1 provided the color is fast4 ,moisten the article1 soap the stain1 and after a few minutes wash alternately with oil of turpentine and water4 ,if not satisfactorily removed make a mixture of yolk of egg and oil of turpentine1 spread on the stain1 allow to dry1 scrape off1 and wash thoroughly in hot water4 ,tampering with stains on garments which are not warranted fast color is very risky1 and often leaves the second state of the garments worse than the first4 ,,soaking ,,and ,,washing ,the prologue of sorting the clothes and removing the stains being at an end1 we are ready for the real business of the wash day--the washing itself--unless the laundress prefers to soak the clothes overnight4 ,if so1 dampen1 soap well1 particularly the most soiled spots1 roll up and pack in the bottom of the tub1 pour over tepid water1 and leave till morning4 ,only the bed and body linen need be subjected to this treatment1 as the table linen is rarely sufficiently soiled to require it1 and the colored clothes and the stockings must never1 under any circumstances1 be allowed to stay in water beyond the time necessary to wash and rinse them4 ,the water1 if only hard water be obtainable1 may be softened by the addition of a little ammonia or borax4 ,water which has been discolored by soil after heavy rains or by the repairing of water pipes1 should be strained through ,canton flannel before use4 ,after soaking1 the linen should be put through the wringer1 which will take away much of the soil with the water1 and then washed4 ,as to the way in which this should be done there are various opinions1 most methods in use by experienced laundresses being reliable4 ,each1 however1 usually has her favorite method of procedure which it is perhaps as well to allow her to follow4 ,pity 'tis1 'tis true1 that many housekeepers are so ignorant of how the wash-day programme should really be conducted that they are incapable of directing the incompetent laundress4 ,the mistress of the house needs also to be mistress of the laundry1 guiding operations there as elsewhere1 seeing to it that body and table linens are not washed together1 flannels boiled1 clothing rotted by overindulgence in sal soda1 nor any other crimes committed against law and order in the laundry4 ,,washing ,,powders ,,and ,,soap ,if bleaches of any kind are to be used--washing powders1 sal soda1 borax1 and the like--it must be in either the soaking water or the boiler1 and very sparingly4 ,indeed1 the use of bleaches at any time is a custom more honored in the breach than the observance4 ,though there is no hard-and-fast rule as to the order of precedence1 it is well to wash the woolens first1 after shaking them free from lint and dust4 ,prepare two tubs of lukewarm suds1 the second very light1 adding a little borax dissolved in boiling water to each4 ,never apply soap directly to the flannel1 nor rub on a board1 which mats the wool1 but rub with the hands1 squeezing and dipping up and down in the first water till clean1 rinse in the second water1 which should be of about the same temperature as the first1 put through the wringer1 shake well1 pull into shape1 and hang in the shade to dry4 ,,washing ,,woolens ,woolens must never hang in the sun nor near the fire1 as the too-quick drying causes them to shrink and harden4 ,when nearly dry1 press on the wrong side with a moderately hot iron4 ,the rinsing water may be used for the first cotton wash4 ,if both colored and white flannels are to be washed1 the former should be done first1 thus avoiding the lint washed from the latter4 ,drying can be accelerated by pressing repeatedly between soft cloths4 ,if the ordinary washing fails to remove any of the spots1 spread on a smooth board and rub with a soft1 wet1 soapy brush4 ,,washing ,,the ,,white ,,clothes ,next comes the washing of the table linen1 then the body linen1 and then the bed linen1 the process for each being the same1 though the table linen requires the least rubbing4 ,wash in hot water in which the hand can be comfortably borne1 soaping each piece well before it is rubbed1 and paying particular attention to the hems of the sheets2 drop into a second tub of clear1 hot water1 rinse1 and wring into a boiler about half filled with cold water to which has been added one tablespoon of kerosene and sufficient soap chips to produce a good suds4 ,bring the water to a boil and boil ten minutes1 stirring occasionally with the clothes stick1 ,too long boiling yellows the clothes1 and crowding the boiler is to be avoided4 ,from the boiler the clothes are lifted to a tub of clear1 cold water1 thoroughly rinsed1 transferred to the tub of bluing water where they are well and evenly saturated1 wrung out1 and those which are not to be starched hung on the line where sun and breeze are most active4 ,the bluing must be thoroughly mixed with the water4 ,clothes which have been carefully washed and rinsed need but little bluing4 ,hang sheets and tablecloths out straight and stretch the selvages even4 ,pillowcases should be hung by the seam opposite the hem4 ,,starch ,prepare the starch by dissolving one half cup of starch in cold water1 pour on this one quart of boiling water1 and boil till clear and white1 stirring constantly4 ,when nearly ready to take from the stove add a little borax1 lard1 butter1 or white wax4 ,a teaspoonful of granulated sugar is believed by many to be the most desirable addition4 ,this will be of the right consistency for ordinary articles--skirts1 aprons1 etc4 ,the same degree of strength in starch will not suit all kinds of fabrics1 collars1 cuffs1 etc41 requiring the stronger solution made by doubling the amount of starch2 thin lawns and other fine materials the weaker produced by doubling the amount of water4 ,dip each article in the hot starch1 those requiring the most stiffening being dipped first1 because it is necessary to thin the starch4 ,see that the starch is evenly distributed1 press out as much as possible with the hands1 put through the wringer1 shake out all creases1 and pin evenly on the line4 ,additional stiffness is given by dipping the already starched and dried article in raw starch1 which is made by moistening a handful of starch in a quart of cold water and rubbing in enough ,ivory or other fine white soap to produce a very slight suds4 ,squeeze out the superfluous moisture1 roll in a clean white cloth1 and leave for half an hour4 ,iron while still damp4 ,in stiffening pillowcases dilute the starch until it is of the consistency of milk4 ,mourning starch should be used for black goods4 ,never hang starched things out in freezing1 damp1 or windy weather4 ,,colored ,,clothes ,colored articles must be washed1 starched1 dried1 and ironed as speedily as possible4 ,prepare warm suds with ,ivory or ,castile soap and add to it a handful of salt to set the color4 ,wash each piece through this1 and rinse through two clear waters to which just enough vinegar to taste has been added1 the latter to brighten the color1 then stiffen in cool starch and hang in the shade4 ,when washing delicate colored fabrics a tablespoon of ox gall may be substituted for the salt4 ,,stockings ,last come the stockings1 which should be washed in clean water1 first on the right side1 then on the wrong1 special care being bestowed upon the feet4 ,rinse in clear water1 with a final rinsing in hot water to soften the fiber1 and hang on the line wrong side out1 toes up4 ,woolen stockings are washed in the same way as flannels4 ,,dainty ,,laundering ,the dainty task of laundering centerpieces and doilies usually devolves upon their owner1 unless the laundress has demonstrated her ability to cleanse and iron them properly4 ,wash in warm ,ivory or ,castile soapsuds1 squeezing1 dipping1 and rubbing between the hands until clean1 rinse thoroughly--otherwise the soap will yellow--bluing the last rinsing water very slightly1 squeeze out 7never wring7 as much moisture as possible1 and hang on the line1 in the shade if out of doors4 ,while still very damp lay face down on a thick flannel pad covered with a white cloth1 and iron till dry4 ,if the piece is large it can be turned and ironed lightly on the right side where there is no embroidery4 ,colored embroideries must never be sprinkled and rolled4 ,iron the linen of large lace-trimmed centerpieces1 then lay on a bed or other flat surface1 and stretch the lace by carefully pinning down each point4 ,the cleansing of laces is best accomplished by basting on strips of cheesecloth1 fastening down each point1 and soaking for some time in warm1 soapy water4 ,squeeze out and put into fresh soapy water1 repeating the process until the lace is perfectly clean1 then rinse in clear boras water--four teaspoonfuls to one pint4 ,place the cheesecloth1 lace down1 on a flannel or other soft pad1 and iron until dry4 ,,how ,,to ,,wash ,,silk ,put white and light-colored silks and pongees through strong1 tepid white soapsuds1 then through a second weaker suds1 rinse1 press out the water with the hands1 shake out all wrinkles1 spread on a clean sheet1 and roll tight4 ,cover with a cheesecloth and iron while still damp with a not too hot iron4 ,no portion of silk should be allowed to dry before ironing4 ,if this occurs do not sprinkle1 but dampen by rolling in a wet cloth4 ,in laundering pure white silk1 slightly blue the rinsing water4 ,a slight firmness can be imparted to any silk by the addition of one teaspoon of gum arabic to each pint of the rinsing water4 ,silk hose are laundered just as other silk1 except that instead of being rolled they must be dried as quickly as possible and ironed under a damp cloth4 ,,washing ,,blankets ,do not allow blankets to become very much soiled before laundering1 ,when this becomes necessary1 put to soak for fifteen minutes in plain warm water--soft1 if possible4 ,then prepare a jelly with one pound of soap to each blanket1 and boiling water1 pour into a tub of warm water and lather well1 wring the blankets from the soaking water into this and let soak for ten minutes1 then rub between the hands1 bit by bit1 until as clean as possible1 wring into the first rinsing water1 which should be just warm1 then rinse a second time in tepid water1 and dry well without exposing to great heat4 ,instead of being hung1 blankets can be dried on curtain stretchers4 ,when dry rub with a piece of rough flannel2 this makes them fluffy and soft4 ,,washing ,,curtains ,curtains and draperies should be shaken and brushed free from all the dust possible1 before washing4 ,lace curtains1 and especially those which are very fine or much worn1 need dainty and careful handling4 ,soak for an hour or two in warm water containing a little borax1 then squeeze out the water and drop into a boiler half filled with cold water to which have been added one half bar of soap1 shaved thin1 two tablespoonfuls of ammonia1 and one of turpentine4 ,bring to a boil and let stand at the boiling point1 without boiling1 for half an hour1 stirring occasionally with the clothes stick1 rinse thoroughly1 starch well with thick boiled starch1 and stretch on frames to dry4 ,if frames are not available1 pin to a carpet which has been smoothly spread with a clean sheet4 ,when a pure white is desired1 add a little bluing to the starch water4 ,water tinted with coffee will produce an cru effect1 while tea will give a more decided hue4 ,muslin curtains are laundered like any other fine white goods4 ,,tidying ,,up ,,and ,,sprinkling ,the last article being hung on the line1 each implement used in the process of washing must be cleaned1 dried1 and put in its place1 the laundry floor scrubbed1 and everything made spick and span2 then comes the sprinkling and rolling of the piles of snowy1 sweet-smelling linen1 all full of fresh air and sunshine1 to make a little rest time after the vigorous exercise which precedes it4 ,it must be done with care as much depends upon it4 ,table linen1 unless taken from the line while still moist1 should be sprinkled very damp1 folded evenly1 rolled and wrapped in a white cloth1 and placed in the clothes basket1 which has been previously lined with an old sheet4 ,bed linen and towels require very little dampening2 they1 too1 to be rolled and placed with the table linen4 ,sprinkle body linen well1 particularly the lace and embroidery trimmings1 roll tight1 wrap1 and add to the growing pile in the basket4 ,the kitchen towels which have just come from the line may be utilized for wrapping purposes4 ,handkerchiefs receive the same treatment as napkins in sprinkling1 folding1 and ironing4 ,although everything irons more easily after being rolled for some time1 thus evenly distributing the dampness1 an exception must be made of colored clothing1 which must not be sprinkled more than half an hour before it is ironed4 ,when the sprinkling is all done1 cover the basket with a damp cloth1 then with a dry one1 and leave till ironing time4 ,if a coal range is in use1 see that the fire is burning steadily1 replenishing from time to time1 first on one side1 then on the other1 brush off the top of the stove1 wipe the irons1 and put on to heat4 ,if they heat slowly1 invert a large dish pan over them4 ,,care ,,of ,,irons ,when not in use1 irons can be protected from dampness and resulting rust by covering with mutton fat or paraffine1 rubbed on while slightly warm4 ,it is easily removed when the irons are wanted for use4 ,rust spots can be removed by applying olive oil1 leaving for a few days1 and then rubbing over with unslaked lime4 ,scrub with soap and water1 rinse1 dry1 rub with beeswax1 and wipe off with a clean cloth4 ,the soap and water treatment1 followed by a vigorous rubbing on brick-dust1 should be given frequently1 irrespective of rust4 ,irons must neither be allowed to become red-hot nor to stand on the range between usings1 or roughness will result4 ,when not in use1 stand on end on a shelf4 ,rubbing first with beeswax and then with a clean cloth will prevent the irons from sticking to the starched things4 ,,how ,,to ,,iron ,before beginning to iron have everything in readiness--beeswax1 a heavy paper on which to test the iron1 a dish of water1 and a soft cloth or a small sponge for dampening surfaces which have become too dry to iron well1 or which have been poorly ironed and need doing over4 ,stand the ironing table in the best light which can be found1 with the ironing stand at the right and the clothes at the left1 and work as rapidly as consistent with good results4 ,there is no royal road to ironing1 but with perseverance and care the home laundress can become quite expert1 even though she cannot hope to compete with the work turned out by those who do nothing but iron six days in the week4 ,give the iron a good1 steady pressure1 lifting from the board as little as possible1 and then--iron6 ,take the bed linen first1 giving a little extra press to the hems of the sheets4 ,many housewives have a theory that unironed sheets are the more hygienic2 that ironing destroys the life and freshness imparted by the sun and air4 ,such being the case1 the sheets can be evenly and carefully folded and put through the wringer1 which will give them a certain smoothness4 ,towels may be treated in the same way1 while flannels1 knit wear1 and stockings may1 if one chooses1 be folded and put away unironed4 ,table linen must be smoothed over on the wrong side till partially dry1 and then ironed rapidly1 with good hot irons and strong pressure on the right side1 lengthwise and parallel with the selvage1 until dry4 ,this brings out the pattern and imparts a satiny gloss to the fabric1 leaving it dainty1 soft1 and immaculate4 ,iron all embroideries on the wrong side4 ,trimmings and ruffles must be ironed before doing the body of the garment1 going well up into the gathers with a light1 pointed iron1 carefully avoiding pressing in wrinkles or unexpected pleats4 ,iron frills1 either plain or with a narrow edge1 on the right side to give the necessary gloss4 ,bands1 hems1 and all double parts must be ironed on both sides4 ,iron colored clothes--lawns1 dimities1 percales1 chambrays1 etc4--on the wrong side1 with an iron not too hot1 otherwise the color is apt to be injured4 ,the home laundress is usually not quite equal to the task of ironing shirts1 which would far better go to the laundry2 but when done at home from choice or necessity1 plenty of patience and muscle must be applied4 ,iron the body of the shirt first1 then draw the bosom tightly over a board and attack it with the regular irons1 wipe over quickly with a damp cloth and press hard with the polishing iron4 ,the ironing of very stiffly starched articles may be facilitated by covering with cheesecloth and pressing until partially dry2 then remove the cloth and iron dry4 ,as each piece is ironed1 hang on bars or line until thoroughly dried and aired4 ,a certain amount of moisture remains2 even after the ironing1 and must be entirely removed before the final sorting and folding and putting away4 ,and so the wash-day drama comes to an end4 ,we survey with pride and complaisance the piles of clean linen1 shining with spotless elegance1 and as we read therein a whole sermon on the ,gospel of ,cleanliness1 we conclude that it is decidedly worth while1 and rejoice that fifty-two times a year this is a washing-day world4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,table ,,furnishings ,the mistress no doubt has a housewifely taste for receipts1 and may1 perhaps1 find the following formula of service to her in her home-making3 ,,dining-,,room ,,cheer ,one set of fine1 spotless table linen sprinkled--not too thickly--with pretty glass1 china1 and silver1 and well lightened with brightness tempered to the right consistency not to dazzle4 ,to this add a few sunny faces1 some good conversation spiced with gayety--the unpalatable1 distasteful portions having been previously eliminated4 ,then quietly and by degrees add food which has been carefully and daintily prepared and arranged4 ,over all scatter little flecks of kindliness and courtesy till an inward glow is produced1 and keep at this point from half an hour to an hour1 or longer4 ,this receipt may be depended upon to give satisfaction under any and all conditions1 and is compounded of ingredients which exemplary home makers have always at hand4 ,if conscientiously followed failure is impossible4 ,its use is a good habit4 ,,stocking ,,the ,,china ,,cupboard ,of its component parts the more substantial ones are perhaps the most easily acquired2 not in hit-or-miss1 anything-to-get-it-done fashion1 but with a view to carrying out some definite idea of table adornment1 which is quite the most charming part of the home building4 ,dishes are more or less mixed up with poesy1 which is full of flowing bowls1 enchanted cups1 dishes for the gods1 flagons of ale1 and other appetizing suggestions2 and it would be rather a good thing to keep the poetry in mind during the fitting out1 that there may be nothing aggressively cheap nor loudly assertive1 but each piece harmoniously congenial to its fellows4 ,there need be no hurry--that is one of the delights o' it--and the shopping may mean only looking1 for the good buyer believes that many dishes are to be examined but few chosen--a meat set here1 a salad set there1 a piece of cut glass somewhere else--here a little and there a little1 with time to get acquainted with and enjoy each added treasure as it comes4 ,it is a rare experience1 this stocking the china cupboard2 one likely to be prolonged through one's entire housekeeping experience1 thanks be6 ,,the ,,groundwork ,there is so much exquisitely patterned and inexpensive china1 glass1 and porcelain turned out these days that one cannot wander very far afield in buying unless she gets lost among the intricacies of castors--pickle and otherwise--ironstone china1 colored and imitation cut glass1 and butter dishes with domelike covers4 ,probably the persons who invented these have gone to join hands with the perpetrator of the red tablecloth4 ,may their works soon follow them6 ,complete sets of dishes are giving way to the character and diversity imparted to the table by odd pieces and sets for different courses4 ,however1 a pretty1 inexpensive set of porcelain or china--something which will bear acquaintance1 and of some easily replaced standard pattern--is a good beginning1 for one rarely starts out with a full equipment of fine china1 and even so1 there should be something stronger to bear the heaviest brunt of wear4 ,all complete sets contain one hundred and seven pieces1 and include one dozen each of dinner1 breakfast1 tea1 soup1 and butter plates1 and cups and saucers of medium size1 three platters of various sizes1 vegetable dishes1 covered and coverless1 and a gravy boat4 ,tureen1 sugar bowl1 and cream pitcher1 and after-dinner coffees are not included1 but may be ordered extra4 ,the choice in everyday sets lies between plain white--preferably the ,french china1 known as ,haviland1 which can be bought for #ce--;and the blue-and-white ,english porcelain of different makes--,copeland1 ,trenton1 etc41 a desirable set of which costs #ae and higher4 ,all-white is entirely blameless from the standpoint of good taste1 and has a dainty fineness in the ,haviland of which one rarely tires1 while it never clashes with anything else on the table4 ,it is so infinitely preferable to cheap1 gaudy decorations1 so sincerely and honestly what it seems to be1 that it has a certain self-respecting quality which one cannot help but admire4 ,blue-and-white has an attraction which has never died since it had its birth in the original ,delft1 which is copied so extensively now in ,japan and ,china4 ,and though the porcelain is but an imitation1 it is a clever one1 and one which leaves little to be desired in decorative value and general effect4 ,the design may strike one at first as being a little heavy1 but it improves on acquaintance1 and it has been very aptly said that the fact of its having survived enthusiasm should vouch for its worth4 ,porcelain has a good glaze which does not readily crack or break4 ,advancing in the scale of cost and fineness1 we come to that most beautiful of all chinas--the gold-and-white--which can be had at from #ej a set up to as high as #a1ejj4 ,the gilding is in coin gold1 the effect of richness tempered with chastity being carried through all grades in varying intensity4 ,it expresses itself beyond expression1 and is an honor to any table4 ,,course ,,sets ,when it comes to the purchase of course sets1 different tastes can find instant gratification in numberless colorings and designs4 ,overdecoration and large floral devices must be avoided1 but any delicately expressed pattern is good1 and here again the gold-and-white seems to fulfill all demands4 ,soup1 salad1 tea1 butter1 and other plates can be had in china from #cj cents apiece up4 ,articles of this kind1 in a standard pattern1 may be bought one or two at a time1 and added to as ability permits until the set is completed4 ,any unusual design runs through two years1 after which it can be obtained only from the factory4 ,a dozen of each is a good number to aim at1 for there will be many occasions which will call out one's whole dish brigade and keep it actively engaged4 ,the old joke about having to wash dishes between courses1 and sending the ice cream afloat on a warm plate1 really loses its amusing aspect when it becomes an actual experience4 ,unless the mistress prefers to serve her soup at the table1 a tureen is not a necessity1 but if used1 it must match the soup plates4 ,it is a somewhat fluctuating fashion1 out at present4 ,soup plates are not the great flaring affairs of yore4 ,they either follow the old shape1 much reduced1 or are in the nature of a large sauce dish4 ,the meat set of platters1 plates1 and vegetable dishes comes into play at all meals1 tea plates can be put to a variety of uses--in fact1 many dishes supplement one another at a saving of expense and numbers4 ,if one has a handsome glass bowl sufficiently large1 a special salad bowl is not an essential1 but a china bowl demands plates to match4 ,hand-painted china1 in sets or odd pieces1 is pretty--sometimes--if artistically designed and perfectly executed1 but a little goes a long way4 ,don't be the innocent victim of some well-meaning relative with the china-painting bee4 ,gently but firmly refuse to sacrifice the beauty of your table to family ties2 they ought to be able to stand the strain1 but your table cannot4 ,,odd ,,pieces ,japanese and ,chinese ware is steadily gaining in favor--another instance in which imitation is permissible1 for the real thing is undoubtedly costly4 ,the quaint conceits in creams and sugars1 chocolate pots1 bonbon dishes1 and plates1 with their storks and chrysanthemums1 their almond-eyed damsels and mandarins1 are always interesting4 ,the fad of odd cups and saucers is fast developing into a fixed fashion1 and a good one1 which is a particular boon to the giver of gifts on ,christmas and other anniversaries when presents endear absents4 ,pretty styles in all sizes of different ,french1 ,german1 and ,english makes can be found at #ej cents and up1 with special reductions at sale times4 ,larger plates1 to accommodate both the slice of bread and the butter ball1 have taken the place of the tiny butter plate1 and should properly match the meat set4 ,a touch of gold with any china decoration gives it a certain character and richness4 ,the chop platter--among the nice-to-haves and bought as an odd piece--belongs in the lightning change category1 for it may serve us our chops and peas during the first course1 our molded jelly salad during the second1 and our brick of ice cream or other dessert during the third4 ,the range in price is from #a up to #e and #f for the choicest designs4 ,then there are berry sets of a bowl and six saucers1 both being turned to account for different uses1 and costing in ,haviland as low as #a4ge4 ,and there must be some small bowls or large sauce dishes for breakfast use1 if our housewife is cereally inclined1 and a china tile or two on little legs to go under the coffee and tea pots4 ,the china pudding dish1 with its tray and its heat-proof baking pan1 is a pretty and convenient accessory1 saving the bother of veiling the crackled complexion of the ordinary baking dish with a napkin1 ,these cannot be had for less than #c4ej and are made in silver also1 minus the tray and plus a cover4 ,the teapot1 true symbol of hospitality1 has come down from the high estate to which it was formerly created1 and is a fat1 squatty affair now4 ,dainty sets of teapot1 cream1 and sugar matching--a nobby little outfit--are to be had for #b1 in gold-and-white1 #c1 etc4 ,there are after-dinner coffee sets1 too4 ,needless to say there must not be even the slightest acquaintance between fine china or porcelain and the hot oven if you value their glaze4 ,illustration3 ,wedgwood pottery1 and silver of antique design4 ,,silver ,,and ,,plate ,of the purchase of silver there is little to say4 ,unless her friends have been very generous in their gifts of solid ware1 the mistress usually acquires it a little at a time1 contenting herself with the plated for general use4 ,here the souvenir fork or spoon frequently steps into the breach1 but in default of any other1 good shining plated ware presents just as good an appearance as the solid and serves every purpose until the plate begins to show wear1 when it should be renewed without delay4 ,the plainer the pattern the better4 ,medium-sized knives and forks of the best ,rogers triple plate sell for #g a dozen1 teas for #aj cents less1 fruit knives for #c4 ,teaspoons in the dainty ,seville pattern1 with only a beaded trimming around the handle1 are #d a dozen1 dessert spoons #c4be a half dozen1 and tablespoons #c4ge4 ,a gravy ladle costs #a4be4 ,the infinite variety of odd forks and spoons for various uses is best acquired with the other solid silver4 ,plated ware ought never to serve acids nor top salt shakers1 since both acid1 and salt when damp1 corrode the plating4 ,solid salt and pepper shakers can be had as low as #a a pair1 cut glass with solid tops for #a and #a4ej4 ,if individual salt dishes are used1 they must be accompanied by tiny solid salt spoons at #ce cents apiece and up4 ,very nice though not altogether necessary accompaniments of the bread-and-butter plates are the individual butter knives at #aj a dozen4 ,if steel-bladed knives are preferred to silver1 the medium size1 with composition handles of celluloid and rubber1 are #d4ej a dozen1 with accompanying forks with silver-plated tines at #g4ej4 ,the carving knife1 broad1 long1 and strong1 with its fork1 good steel both1 can be had for #b4ge1 with a game knife1 its blade short and pointed and its handle long1 with its fork1 #b4ej4 ,,glass ,cut glass is another of the can-do-withouts1 except1 perhaps1 the carafe1 now used instead of the old-fashioned water pitcher1 at #c1 #c4ej1 etc42 cruets for vinegar and oil1 simply cut and in good style1 for as low as #a4ej each2 and the finger bowls1 one for each person4 ,the last1 of thin crystal and perfectly plain save for a sunburst of cutting underneath1 are #c a dozen1 with others more elaborate1 and costly in proportion4 ,tumblers1 thin1 dainty1 and delightful1 cut a little at the bottom1 are #a4ej a dozen1 and far pleasanter to drink from than their elaborately cut and artistic brethren4 ,occasionally a pretty little olive dish can be picked up for as low as #a4ej or #b1 but rather perfect and inoffensive plainness than imitation cut1 cheap1 crude1 and clumsy4 ,the ,american cut glass is considered the choicest4 ,side by side with it1 and preferred by many as being less ostentatious1 is the beautiful ,bohemian glass1 with its exquisite traceries in gold and delicate colors4 ,only in this glass is color permissible1 and then principally in receptacles for flowers4 ,there is reason to believe that it was from a ,bohemian glass plate the ,king of ,hearts stole the tarts on a certain memorable occasion1 and if so1 one can readily understand why the temptation was so irresistible to him4 ,illustration3 ,a collection of eighteenth-century cut glass4 ,,arrangement ,to put all our pretty things on the table in such a way that the result shall be a picture of daintiness1 grace1 and symmetry is seemingly a simple matter1 but the trick of good taste and a mathematical eye are both involved in it4 ,the manner of setting and serving the table varies somewhat with each meal1 but a few suggestions apply to all alike4 ,the center of the table must be exactly under the chandelier1 and covered with the pretty centerpiece with its dish of ferns1 a vase of posies1 or a potted plant in a white crinkled tissue-paper pinafore4 ,nothing else has the decorative value of the table posy1 however simple1 which seems to breathe out some of its outdoor life and freshness1 and should never be omitted4 ,twenty inches must be allowed for each cover1 or place1 to give elbow room1 and all that belongs to it should be accurately and evenly placed4 ,at the right go the knives--sharp edges in--and spoons1 with open bowls up1 in the order in which they are to be used1 beginning at the right4 ,at the points of the knives stands the water glass4 ,at the left are arranged the forks1 tines up1 also in the order of use1 beginning at the left1 with the butter plate1 on which rests the butter knife1 a little above the forks4 ,the napkin--which should be folded four times in ironing and never tortured into fantastic shapes1 restaurant fashion--lies either at the left of the forks or on the plate at the center of the cover4 ,if many spoons are to be used1 the soup spoon alone rests beside the knife1 with the others above the plate4 ,individual salt cellars go above the plates1 shakers at the sides or corners of the table1 within easy reach1 and one carafe is usually allowed for every three or four people4 ,carving cloths are laid before the plates are put on1 with the carving knife at the right1 the fork at the left4 ,water is poured1 butter passed1 and bread arranged on the table just before the meal is served4 ,extra dishes and the plates for use during the different courses stand in readiness on a little side table1 silver and glass alone being appropriate to the sideboard4 ,,duties ,,of ,,the ,,waitress ,the maid stands behind the master or mistress to serve the plate of meat1 the bowl of soup1 and so on1 taking it on her tray and placing it with her right hand from the right of the person served4 ,all plates are placed by the waitress1 while she serves all vegetables1 sauces1 etc41 from the left1 holding the dish on her tray or1 if it be a heavy one1 in her hand1 within easy reach4 ,soiled dishes she removes from the right with her right hand1 placing them on her tray one at a time1 platter and serving dishes first1 then individual dishes and silver until everything belonging to the course has been removed4 ,crumbs are taken up from the left with a crumb knife or napkin1 never with a brush4 ,many housekeepers prefer to dismiss the maid after the main part of the meal is served1 ringing for her when her services are necessary1 thus insuring a greater privacy during the charmed hour1 and affording an opportunity for those little thoughtful attentions when each serves his neighbor as himself4 ,,the ,,breakfast ,,table ,the breakfast table is usually laid with centerpiece and plate doilies these days1 and it may not be ill-timed to suggest that every effort be made to have this meal cheery and attractive1 for it is1 alas1 too often suggestive of funeral baked meats and left-over megrims from the night before4 ,if fruit is to be served1 followed by a cereal and a meat or other heavier course1 each place is provided with a fruit plate with its doily and knife1 a breakfast knife and fork1 a dessert spoon1 two teaspoons1 and a finger bowl4 ,the fruit should be on the table when the family assemble1 with the cups and saucers and other accompaniments of the coffee service arranged before the mistress's place4 ,warm sauce dishes for the cereal and warm plates for the course which follows it must be in readiness4 ,,luncheon ,luncheon is the simplest1 daintiest1 most informal meal of the day--just a little halting place between breakfast and dinner1 where one's pretty china comes out strongly4 ,the setting of the doily-spread table follows the usual arrangement4 ,everything necessary for serving tea is placed at the head of the table1 with the meat or other substantial dish at the opposite end4 ,most of the food is placed on the table before the meal is announced1 and as there are usually but two courses the plates are changed only once4 ,the only difference between luncheon and tea being the hour of serving1 the same rules govern both4 ,the lunch cloth or the hemstitched linen strips may be used instead of the place doilies4 ,,dinner ,dinner is a more solemn matter4 ,on goes our immaculate tablecloth now1 over a thick pad1 its one crease exactly in the middle of the table1 and all wrinkles and unevennesses made smooth and straight4 ,centerpiece and posy go squarely--or roundly--in the center1 with silver1 salts1 and carving set arranged as usual4 ,the butter plate is frequently omitted from this meal1 an oblong slice of bread1 a dinner roll1 or a bread stick being placed between the folds of each napkin1 or on the butter plate1 if used1 with the butter ball and knife4 ,if soup is to be served1 the spoon is placed at the right of the knives4 ,there is a preference for the use of a service plate at this meal--the plate which is at each place when dinner is announced1 and is not removed until the first hot course after the soup--but this is usually dispensed with when there is but one servant4 ,proper cutlery for carving has its place before the carver1 the carving cloth being removed before dessert4 ,if black coffee is served as the last course1 the after-dinner coffee spoons are placed in the saucers before serving4 ,finger bowls appear the last thing4 ,,the ,,formal ,,dinner ,the formal dinner follows the general idea and arrangement of the family dinner1 with considerable elaboration4 ,out come our dress-up table linen1 china1 glass1 and silver1 and we add certain festive touches in the way of vines and cut flowers loosely and gracefully disposed in glass or silver bowls and vases4 ,at the four sides of the centerpiece go the dainty glass candlesticks1 which cost #ce cents apiece1 coming up to #ia cents with the candle lamp1 candle1 mica chimney1 and shade complete1 the shade matching the flowers in color4 ,the lesser light which thus rules the night casts a witching glamour over the table1 shadowing imperfections1 softening features1 warming heart cockles1 and loosening tongues4 ,yellow is always good1 green cool in summer1 red heavy1 and pink of the right shades genial4 ,lace and ribbon have been banished from the table as being inconsistent with simplicity1 but a small bunch of flowers or a single flower at each place gives a pretty touch4 ,the water glass is moved over to the top of the plate now1 to make room for the wine glasses which are grouped above the knives4 ,the oyster fork is placed at the right of the soup spoon1 the fish fork at the left of the other forks4 ,overmuch silver savors of ostentation2 therefore1 if many courses are to be served1 the sherbet spoon may go above the plate1 the other extra silver to be supplied from the side table when needed4 ,fancy dishes containing olives1 salted nuts1 and confections are arranged on the table1 all other dishes being served from the kitchen or side table4 ,it being taken for granted that the food is properly seasoned1 no condiments are on the table4 ,place cards rest on the napkins4 ,,the ,,formal ,,luncheon ,the formal luncheon table closely follows the formal dinner table1 except that place doilies are used instead of the tablecloth4 ,the bouillon spoon replaces the soup spoon1 and other changes in the silver may be necessitated by the lighter character of the food served4 ,the room may be darkened and candles used if the hostess so elect4 ,if additional light is required at either dinner or luncheon1 it should come through shades harmonizing with the candle shades1 and hung not higher than the heads of the guests4 ,,washing ,,glass ,and after this1 the deluge--of dishwashing6 ,the cleansing of the glass opens the session4 ,if much fine or heavily cut glass is to be washed1 cover the draining board and the bottom of the pan with a soft1 folded cloth4 ,wash one piece at a time in water not too hot--about three quarts of cold water to one of boiling1 to which a very little white soap1 with a tablespoon of ammonia1 has been added--going well into the cuttings with a brush2 then rinse in water a little hotter than the first1 leave for a moment1 and turn upside down on the board to drain until the next piece is ready4 ,then dry with a soft towel1 or plunge into a box of nonresinous sawdust1 better warm1 which absorbs moisture not reached by the cloth4 ,remove from the sawdust1 brush carefully1 and polish with a soft cloth4 ,if kept free from dust1 sawdust can be dried and used indefinitely4 ,care must be taken that there is no sand in dishpan or cloth to give the glass a scratch which may end in a crack or break4 ,put a spoonful of finely chopped raw potatoes1 or crushed eggshells1 or half a dozen buckshot into decanters1 carafes1 jugs1 and narrow-mouthed pitchers1 with a little warm soda or ammonia water1 and shake vigorously till all stain is removed1 rinse and dry4 ,the water in which glass is washed must be kept absolutely free from greasy substances4 ,if milk1 ice cream1 or custard has been used1 rinse off with cold1 then blood-warm water before washing4 ,cut glass must never be subjected to marked differences in temperature1 and for this reason should not be held under the faucets1 as the heat cannot be regulated4 ,glass with gilt decoration must be washed quickly and carefully with water free from either soda or ammonia1 which attack the gilt1 and dried gently4 ,,washing ,,and ,,cleaning ,,silver ,the silver comes next1 careful washing obviating the necessity for cleaning oftener than once a month4 ,knives1 forks1 and spoons1 which were separated into piles when taken from the table1 are washed first1 then the other pieces in use1 in hot white soapsuds with a little ammonia1 rinsed with clear scalding water1 dried with a soft towel1 one at a time1 and rubbed vigorously1 when all are done1 with chamois or ,canton flannel4 ,egg or vegetable stains can be removed with wet salt1 black marks with ammonia and whiting4 ,only enough silver to supply the family use is kept out2 the handsome jelly bowls1 cream jugs1 etc41 are wrapped in white tissue paper1 placed with a small piece of gum camphor in labeled ,canton flannel bags1 closing with double draw strings1 and are then locked away in a trunk or a flannel-lined box with a close-fitting lid4 ,if put away clean and bright1 as they should be1 they retain their luster and only need polishing once a year4 ,when the regular silver-cleaning day comes around1 wash and dry the silver in the prescribed way1 and rub with sifted whiting wet with alcohol1 leaving no part untouched1 and allow to dry on4 ,when all the pieces have been treated thus1 rub with a flannel cloth and polish with a silver brush4 ,regular brushes are made for this purpose and are invaluable in getting into the ornamental work4 ,never make the mistake of applying a tooth or nail brush1 which will surely scratch and mar the fine surface4 ,most silver polishes are made of chalk prepared in different ways1 but beware of the one which cleans too quickly3 it is liable to remove the silver with the tarnish4 ,silver must not be allowed to become badly stained1 thus necessitating hard rubbing and additional wear and tear4 ,,how ,,to ,,wash ,,china ,china washing requires a pan nearly full of water of a temperature not uncomfortable to the hand1 beaten into a good suds with a soap shaker4 ,very hot water1 or a sudden change from cold to hot1 is apt to crack the fine glaze4 ,use a dish mop for the cleanest dishes1 and1 beginning with the cups and saucers1 and placing only a few in the pan at a time1 wash quickly without allowing to soak1 rinse in water a little hotter than the first1 and wipe until perfectly dry and shiny4 ,pouring hot water over china and leaving it to drain itself dry may save time1 but it will be at the expense of the polish4 ,spread the dishes out on the table to cool--piling them while hot injures the glaze--and put away the first washing before commencing on the heavy1 greasy things4 ,the washing water must be changed as soon as a greasy scum collects around the sides of the pan4 ,,care ,,of ,,knives ,bone-1 wood-1 or pearl-handled knives should never go into the dishpan1 but be stood1 blade down1 in a pitcher containing a little water and soda1 the blades having first been wiped off with paper1 and left till everything else is done4 ,they are then washed singly with clean suds1 special care being bestowed upon the juncture of the blade with the handle1 rinsed1 and dried immediately4 ,if stained1 rub with half of a potato or with a cork dipped in powdered pumice stone1 wipe dry1 wash1 and polish with a little bath brick or sapolio4 ,clean carving knives and forks in the same way1 going around the joinings with a rag-covered skewer4 ,spots can be removed from ivory handles with tripoli mixed with sweet oil2 from mother-of-pearl with sifted whiting and alcohol1 which is washed off and followed with a polishing with dry whiting and a flannel cloth4 ,cover rusted knife blades with sweet oil1 rub in well1 and leave for forty-eight hours1 then rub with slaked lime4 ,britannia1 pewter1 and block tin in table use are polished the same as silver4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,the ,,bedroom ,the bedroom is very like an old familiar friend3 it sees us as we really are1 tempting us to throw off all veneer of pretense or worldliness and rest in just being ourselves--a rest so sweet and wholesome and good that we go from it recreated and strengthened4 ,in the spirit of truest friendship it exacts nothing1 but by its subtle1 quiet sympathy charms away our restlessness and presents us anew to that person known as our better self4 ,the friend of our choice is the one who wears well2 who never intrudes1 never wearies1 never pains us2 whose influence is one of rest1 of restoration1 of reinspiration--the embodiment of the true mission of the bedroom4 ,it1 like our friend1 must be able to survive with honor the test of that familiarity which comes with intimacy--whether it shall breed contempt or content4 ,and so as we plan it1 let us endeavor to temper our likes and dislikes with judgment until we can be reasonably sure that it will be a room pleasant to live with1 and companionable1 which will not irritate our moods into becoming moodier1 nor our weariness into becoming wearier4 ,,light ,,and ,,air ,of first importance1 of course1 are light and air2 these we must have1 and sun if possible4 ,one good warm ray of sunshine is a more effective destroyer of disease and dumps than all the drugs on the market2 while good ventilation is one of the most valuable as well as one of the cheapest and most ignored assets of the home1 particularly of the bedroom1 where our hereditary enemy1 the microbe1 loves especially to linger4 ,given air and light1 we have the best possible start toward our rest room and upon its exposure and size depends largely what we shall add unto it in the way of furnishings and decorations4 ,dark walls and floors wrap one in gloom and have no place in any bedroom4 ,a warm1 sunny exposure invites the use of contrastingly cool light blues1 grays1 greens1 and creams2 while the glow of delicate pinks and yellows helps to make a sunshine in the shadows of a north light4 ,east and west lights adapt themselves to the tasteful use of almost any color1 saving and excepting red1 which cannot be mentioned in the same breath with rest and has the red-rag-to-the-bull effect on nerves4 ,if an overstrong affection for it demands its use1 it must be indulged in sparingly and much scattered and tempered with white4 ,though a certain sympathetic warmth should be expressed in the bedroom coloring1 we want rather to feel than to see it1 and too much becomes a weariness4 ,,carpets ,,versus ,,rugs ,beginning with the base1 as becomes a good builder1 and working upward1 floor coverings which cover without covering1 if one may indulge in an ,irishism1 are far preferable to those which extend from wall to wall4 ,carpets undoubtedly have their uses3 they make over well into rugs1 supply heat to the feet1 particularly in summer1 and to the disposition during the semiannual house cleaning4 ,they also cover a multitude of moths4 ,but they belong to the dark ages of unenlightened womanhood whose chief end was to keep house1 and have been jostled into the background by bare floors or mattings1 with rugs4 ,hardwood floors certainly are nice and seem to wear an air of conscious pride of birth1 but their humbler self-made brethren of common pine1 stained and varnished or oiled1 answer the purpose fully as well4 ,it really amounts to a case of rugs make the floor1 for if they are pretty and conveniently disposed about it1 the floor itself receives very little attention4 ,small rugs before bed1 dresser1 and chiffonier will suffice in a small room1 and can be easily taken out and cleaned1 but a more commodious room requires the dressed look imparted by the larger rug4 ,whatever its size1 avoid large figures and strong colors1 choosing rather a small1 somewhat indistinct pattern woven in the deeper shades of the other decorations of the room1 at the same time supplying a foundation which1 without calling attention to itself1 becomes a good support for the general decorative plan--a base strong but neither heavy nor striking4 ,since we were made to stand erect and look up1 it is irritating to have one's eyes drawn downward by the unattractive attraction of an ugly rug4 ,the colonial cotton rag rugs are quite the most desirable for bedroom use1 from a sanitary as well as an artistic standpoint1 and are woven to produce charming effects4 ,the usual combination is two colors--white with blue1 yellow1 green1 or pink1 black with red1 different shades of the same color1 etc4 ,occasionally three colors are used1 but more are apt to destroy the dainty simplicity which is the chief charm of rugs of this kind4 ,they are woven like any other rag rug1 and of any dimensions4 ,,mattings ,mattings1 if preferred to the bare floor1 come in a variety of patterns and colors and look neat and fresh1 and cool in summer if used without rugs4 ,they are a yard wide and range in price from #aj to #ej cents a yard for the ,chinese1 and from #bj to #fj cents for the ,japanese4 ,there is very little choice between the two1 though the ,chinese wears a little better1 perhaps4 ,matting is easily broken and should not be used where the bed must be drawn away from the wall to be made1 or heavy furniture moved about4 ,,wall ,,covering ,passing from floor to walls1 we reach that portion of the room which gives it its real atmosphere and supplies a background for all that it contains1 of both things and people4 ,the bedroom seems to be preeminently a woman's room3 here she reads and writes1 rests and sews2 it is her help in trouble1 her refuge in times of storm4 ,the intangible something which surrounds the eternal feminine clings about her room and tells a very truthful tale of the individuality of its occupant4 ,her favorite color peeps out from wall and drapery2 her books1 well-thumbed and hearing evidences of intimate association1 lie cozily about1 and her workbasket reveals the source of certain dainty covers and indescribable nothings which so materially refine the whole aspect of the room4 ,though she receives her formal calls in the drawing-room1 it is in her bedroom that those confidential chats1 so dear to the feminine heart1 take place2 therefore its background must be chosen with some idea of its becomingness1 and the happy medium in color and tint selected1 softening and becoming to all alike4 ,as absence of manners is good manners1 so absence of effect is1 after all1 the best effect4 ,first and foremost1 avoid the plague of white walls and ceilings1 which cast a ghastly light over the whole room and make one fairly shiver with cold4 ,the general plan is to shade the color up from floor to ceiling1 and this is accomplished in so many differing and equally attractive ways that it is impossible to do more than offer suggestions which may be elaborated to suit individual tastes and conditions4 ,of course calcimine is the simplest and cheapest style of decoration1 and recommends itself to the anti-germ disciple because it can be renewed annually at slight expense4 ,the only difficulty lies in getting just the right tint1 for decorators1 though no doubt worthy of their hire1 are not always capable of handling the artistic side of their business1 and an uncongenial shade gets on the nerves after a while4 ,the same thing holds true of painted walls and ceilings1 though they too are hygienically good4 ,when we come to papers1 we are lost in a maze of stripes and garlands and nosegays1 either alone or in combination4 ,prettiness is by no means synonymous with expense these days1 when the general patterns and colors of costly papers are successfully reproduced in the cheaper grades4 ,tapestry papers are too heavy for bedrooms4 ,those figured with that mathematical precision which drives the beholder to counting and thence to incipient insanity1 and others on which we fancy we can trace the features of our friends1 are always distracting1 especially during illness1 when restfulness is so essential4 ,the plain cartridge-papered wall with frieze and ceiling either flowered or of a light shade of the same or a contrasting color is never obtrusive and always in good taste4 ,with a flowered wall a plain ceiling is a relief1 and vice versa4 ,figures in both walls and ceiling are tiring1 besides having none of the effect resulting from contrast4 ,walls in plain stripes need to be livened with a fancy ceiling1 or ceiling and frieze1 with their background always of the lightest tint in the side wall4 ,one room of particular charm was all in yellow4 ,the molding had been dropped three feet from the ceiling1 giving the impression of a low ceiling and that snugness which goes with it1 and up to it ran the satin-striped paper1 while over frieze and ceiling ran a riot of yellow roses4 ,and here was asserted the ingenuity of its occupant1 who had cut out some of the roses and draped them at the corners and by door and window casings1 where they seemed to cling after being spilled from the garden above4 ,this same idea can be worked out with garlands or bunches of different flowers1 bow knots1 or other distinct designs4 ,no large figures of any description should be introduced into a small room1 and the whole effect of the decoration must be cheerful without being boisterous1 gay1 or striking4 ,if the ceiling is low1 the wall paper continues up to it without a frieze1 the molding--which corresponds with the woodwork--being fastened where wall and ceiling join4 ,backgrounds of amber1 cream1 fawn1 rose1 blue1 or pale green1 with their designs in soft contrasting colors1 are the strictly bedroom papers4 ,,bedroom ,,woodwork ,the very prettiest bedroom woodwork is of white enamel1 which has that light1 airy look we so want to catch1 and never quarrels with either furniture or decorations4 ,but of woodwork painted in any color beware1 take care6 ,finely finished hardwood has the honesty of true worth and needs no dressing up2 but its poor relation1 that hideous product of old-time dark stain and varnish is only a kill-beauty1 and should be wiped out of existence with a dose of white paint4 ,,bedroom ,,draperies ,in selecting bedroom draperies1 two don'ts must be strictly observed3 don't use flowered drapery with a flowered wall1 and don't buy heavy1 unwashable hangings of woolen1 damask1 satin1 or brocade1 which not only are out of harmony with the whole idea of bedroom simplicity1 but shut out air and sunlight1 make the room seem stuffy1 and collect and hold dust and odors4 ,the patterns of chintzes1 cretonnes1 and silkolenes are manufactured to follow closely the paper designs1 and where flowered ceiling and frieze are used with a plain wall1 the same color and design may be carried out in bed and window draperies1 and in couch and chair coverings4 ,with a flowered or much-figured wall snowy curtains of ,swiss1 muslin1 or net1 with ruffles of lace or of the same material1 are prettier than anything else2 and for that matter1 they are appropriate with any style of decoration and can always be kept fresh and dainty4 ,but elaborate lace curtains which have seen better days elsewhere are most emphatically not for bedrooms1 and should find another asylum4 ,a pretty window drapery is the thin white curtain with a colored figured inner curtain4 ,the use of figured draperies demands a good sense of proportion and of the eternal fitness of things1 else it easily degenerates into abuse4 ,illustration3 ,the bedroom4 ,,bedroom ,,furnishing ,the bedroom furniture must be chosen rather with a view to fitness than to fashion4 ,sets are no more4 ,how stereotyped and assertive they were1 and undecorative6 ,bed1 dresser1 and washstand1 forcibly recalling to one the big bear1 middle-sized bear1 and little bear of nursery lore1 were clumsy and heavy and bad1 even in hardwood2 but when they were simply stained imitations of the real thing1 and ornate with wooden knobs1 machine carving1 and ungraceful lines1 they were truly unspeakable4 ,the bed with its fat bolster1 on top of which1 like ,ossa on ,pelion piled1 stood the pillows1 perhaps covered with shams which bade one ,good night and ,good morning in red cotton embroidery--was especially hideous as contrasted with our present-day enameled or brass bed1 and belongs to the dark ages of crocheted tidies1 plush-covered photograph albums1 whatnots1 prickly1 slippery haircloth furniture1 and other household idols which bring thoughts that lie too deep for tears4 ,only two styles of sets find a welcome in the up-to-date home--the rich1 dark1 mellow mahogany1 which is too costly for the average pocketbook1 and the white enameled4 ,even so the component parts differ from those of a few years back2 then the dresser was considered an absolute essential2 now we frequently prefer the more graceful dressing table1 with its small drawer or two for the unornamental toilet accessories1 or the compromise between the two--the princess dresser--with the roomy chest of drawers or chiffonier4 ,the all-white furniture gives the room an air of chaste purity and is no more expensive than a set in any other good wood1 but must be well enameled or it will be impossible to keep it clean4 ,,careful ,,selection ,the trend of popular sentiment is toward the metal bed1 with accompanying furniture in plain or bird's-eye maple1 mahogany1 dark oak1 curly birch1 or mahogany-birch4 ,dressers range in price from #i to #ej2 princess dressers from #aj4ej to #ej2 chiffoniers from #aj to #ce2 and dressing tables from #aj to #ej4 ,furniture1 like friends1 cannot be acquired promiscuously without unpleasant consequences4 ,there is no economy in buying cheap1 veneered pieces which will be--or ought to be--always an eyesore4 ,the truly thrifty homemaker will wait until she can afford to buy something genuinely good1 and then buy it with the conviction that she is laying up treasures of future happiness and contentment4 ,the good piece is exactly what it claims to be1 without pretense or artificiality1 of hardwood of course1 of simple construction1 and graceful1 artistic lines1 its few decorations carved1 not glued on4 ,,toilet ,,and ,,dressing ,,tables ,simplicity must be the keynote of all bedroom furnishings4 ,the middle course in price is the safe one to follow1 leaning toward the greater rather than toward the lesser cost4 ,if there is a bathroom conveniently near1 it is better to dispense with a washstand2 but if its use is imperative1 make it as little obtrusive as possible4 ,the home carpenter can easily fashion one from a plain pine table1 hung with a valance to match the other draperies4 ,if a marble-topped table is available1 so much the better4 ,toilet sets can be purchased for #d and up1 and should be of simple design and decoration1 plain white or gold-and-white being advisable for general use1 as neither will clash with anything else in the room4 ,a very satisfactory set in the gold-and-white is to be had for #h4 ,a dainty dressing table follows the idea of a makeshift washstand4 ,it should be made of a sizeable drygoods box1 with shelves1 and the top padded and covered to match the drapery4 ,the mirror which hangs over it may be draped1 or simply framed in white enamel1 gold1 or whatever blends with the room4 ,overdraping not only looks fussy1 but means additional bother and care4 ,the drapery is thrown over a frame fastened above the mirror4 ,,further ,,comforts ,in addition to what is considered the regulation bedroom furniture1 there should be a small table at the head of the bed for the glass of water1 the candle or night lamp1 and books of devotion2 a couch for the mistress's rest hours1 and to save the immaculateness of the bed2 a comfortable rocker1 with a low sewing chair and one or two with straight backs2 and1 when two people occupy the room1 a screen which insures some degree of privacy and affords a protection from draughts4 ,if one is restricted in closet room1 a box couch is a great convenience2 if in sleeping room1 an iron cot or a folding sanitary couch1 which becomes a bed by night1 is invaluable4 ,a chintz1 cretonne1 or other washable cover1 with plenty of pretty pillows to invite indolence1 can be used on either1 with an afghan or some other sort of pretty throw4 ,though upholstered furniture is out of place here1 chair cushions corresponding with wall paper or draperies give a touch of cozy comfort4 ,one room with dove-gray walls dotted with white1 and all other furniture of white enamel1 had mahogany chairs of severe simplicity of design1 with backs and seats covered with rose-strewn cretonne which extended in a box-plaited flounce to the floor4 ,this was the only touch of color1 save a water color or two1 in a room overflowing with restfulness and that charm which lulls to sleep4 ,willow chairs are pretty and appropriate1 too4 ,the screen1 with its panels draped in harmony with other hangings1 should match the furniture4 ,the new willow screens are light1 dainty1 and easily moved4 ,a table1 footstool or two1 and desk can be added if desired4 ,a greater length of mirror than that afforded by the dresser glass can be secured by setting a full-length mirror into the panels of one of the doors--a fashion both pretty and convenient4 ,have a care that all mirrors are of plate glass1 for the foreshortened1 distorted image which looks back at one from an imperfect looking-glass has a depressing effect on one's vanity4 ,,the ,,bedstead ,and now to the pice de rsistance of the room1 the 4 4 4 delicious bed6 ,that heaven on earth to the weary head6 ,furnished complete it represents a considerable sum1 but here again it is well not to count the cost too closely1 for the return in comfort and refreshment cannot be estimated in dollars and cents4 ,the change from wooden to metal beds is desirable in every way4 ,besides being so much more hygienic1 they seem to take up less room1 and admit of a freer circulation of air2 they can be painted over and freshened up when necessary1 and look well with any furniture4 ,the best patterns are formed by parallel bars and circles1 those with simple lilies conveying the idea of solidity1 and with the least ornamentation1 being preferable always4 ,the extension foot facilitates the arrangement of spread or valance1 and if drapery is desired1 beds with head posts fitted with canopy frames or testers are to be had4 ,brass beds are the most expensive of metal beds1 costing from #bb to #ee1 or as much more as one cares to pay4 ,they have to be handled with great care--or rather1 not handled at all unless through the medium of a soft cloth4 ,the vernis ,martin bed of gilded iron produces the same general effect1 and is but little more costly than the enamel bed1 but1 after all1 it is only another imitation4 ,enameled beds can be had for from #b all the way up to #ca4 ,it cannot1 of a surety1 be necessary to warn against those hideous embodiments of bad taste1 colored beds1 with their funereal blacks1 lurid reds1 and sickly blues1 greens1 and yellows4 ,enough said6 ,and avoid too much brass trimming4 ,the bed should stand on casters--wooden--and not too high4 ,,spring1 ,,mattress1 ,,and ,,pillows ,those two friends to nightly comfort1 a first-class spring and a hair mattress1 are vastly important4 ,if the still1 small voice of economy whispers that other mattresses are just as good1 stifle it4 ,the hair mattress is the only really sanitary one1 since it can be washed and made over and plumped up times without number1 and surely no other enjoys the distinction of descending from generation to generation1 with the other family treasures4 ,hair mattresses cost from #aj up1 according to the length of the hair1 but a good one of full size cannot be had under #cj4 ,felt mattresses1 from #g4be to #ac4ej1 are next in desirability1 the best of these1 warranted not to cake1 being preferable to the cheap hair mattress with short hair4 ,then come moss mattresses with cotton tops1 #d4gj to #h2 husk with cotton tops1 #c4ae to #d2 and excelsior1 cotton-topped1 #b to #d4 ,mattresses in two unequal parts1 the larger going at the head of the bed and the smaller at the foot1 are more easily handled and turned than those in one piece4 ,a slip of heavy white cotton cloth covering the mattress entire1 is a great protection1 and should be washed at stated intervals4 ,box springs are luxuriously comfortable1 an average spring1 felt-topped1 costing #ag--;hair-topped1 #ah4ej4 ,those topped with tow and moss are less expensive4 ,there is only one objection to the box spring3 when the bedbug once effects an entrance therein1 the days of that spring are numbered1 for there is no evicting him4 ,woven wire and coil springs run from #b4be up1 according to the number of coils1 wires1 and weight4 ,mattress and pillows are covered to match1 these days1 in all sorts of charming colors and designs1 if one cares to add a little to the cost4 ,over the mattress goes a quilted cotton pad1 interlined with one thickness of cotton batting4 ,pads can be made at home1 or purchased for #a4be1 #a4ej1 or #a4ge1 according to the size of the bed4 ,the unbleached cost #be cents less4 ,some housekeepers prefer a flannel pad as being more porous1 and therefore more easily aired4 ,each bed should have its own pair of white woolen blankets1 an average pair costing about #e1 but a really worth-while one is scarcely obtainable under #ab or #ae4 ,a little cotton mixed with the wool is not objectionable1 as it prevents so much of the shrinkage to which wool is liable4 ,heavy and uncomfortable comforts1 which supply in weight what they lack in warmth1 are neither desirable nor healthful4 ,folded across the foot of the bed should lie the extra covering for cold nights1 either an eiderdown or less costly quilt1 daintily covered with cheesecloth1 silkolene1 etc4 ,two night pillows to a bed are the usual allowance4 ,good live-goose feather pillows sell for from #c to #g1 depending on the size1 and should be provided with extra cotton slips1 buttoning on1 to protect the tick4 ,the feather bolster has had its day4 ,its descendant1 the bedroll of hair1 paste-board1 or papier mach1 is for ornament only1 and is used as a finish at the head of the bed with fancy draperies or coverings1 which it matches4 ,shams1 too1 are going out1 with other things which are not what they seem4 ,the thought of untidiness always underlies their freshness1 and so we prefer to put the night pillows in the closet during the day and let the bedroll or the day pillows take their place4 ,if there is a shortage of pillows1 the night cases can be exchanged for pretty ruffled ones of lawn1 muslin1 dimity1 or linen4 ,if one still clings to shams1 corresponding sheet shams should also be used4 ,,bed ,,decoration ,there remains yet to be found anything more airily1 chastely dainty than the all-white bed with its plain or fringed ,marseilles spread and its ruffled pillows4 ,though drapery has a picturesque effect1 it interferes to a certain extent with the free circulation of air1 and affords a lurking place for our insidious enemy--the microbe4 ,if used at all1 it should only be in a large1 well-ventilated room1 and sparingly1 for a fussy1 overloaded bed looks anything but restful4 ,if considerable color has already been introduced into the room1 the bed drapery1 cover1 and valance should be of some thin white washable material--dimity1 ,swiss1 and the like4 ,but with plain papers1 flowered cretonne1 chintz1 etc41 are appropriate4 ,the canopy top is covered with the material1 stretched smooth1 and either plain or plaited1 and the drapery gathered about the back1 sides1 and front of this1 from which it hangs in soft folds to within two or three inches of the floor4 ,it should be simply tied back4 ,the canopy projects not more than half a yard beyond the head of the bed1 and may be either oblong or semicircular4 ,very thin white material is used over a color4 ,whatever the material1 it must1 of course1 be washable and kept immaculate4 ,the newest bed1 all enameled and with a bent bar of iron at head and foot1 lends itself to a pretty style of drapery1 which is simply a plain1 fitted white slip-over case for head and foot1 finished with a valance of the same depth as that of the counterpane1 which leaves no metal visible anywhere about the bed4 ,pretty ,marseilles spreads may be had for #c2 cheaper ones in honeycomb follow the same designs4 ,the white spread1 with a colored thread introduced1 may answer for the maid's room--never for the mistress's4 ,,simplicity ,when two persons occupy a room1 twin beds furnished exactly alike are preferable to the double bed4 ,an exclusively man's room demands somewhat different treatment1 though the general principles of furnishing apply to all bedrooms4 ,a man abhors drapery1 and usually prefers an ascetic simplicity to what he is pleased to term flub-dubs4 ,his notions of art are liable to express themselves in pipes1 steins1 and other masculine bric-a-brac2 but whatever his wills and wonts on the furnishing question1 his room must show care and attention4 ,the rule of elimination is a good one to follow in bedroom pictures2 no rogue's gallery of photographs1 no useless1 meaningless1 and trivial pictures1 but just a madonna or two1 perhaps a photographic copy of some old master1 with a favorite illuminated quotation--something to help and quiet and inspire4 ,tables1 dresser1 and chiffonier should have each its spotless cover of hemstitched or scalloped linen1 or ruffled lawn or ,swiss--anything but towels4 ,they will answer1 of course1 but we want a little more than just answering4 ,,care ,,of ,,bedroom ,,and ,,bed ,much of the refinement of the bedroom depends upon its daily care4 ,this begins with its airing the first thing in the morning4 ,the bed is stripped of its coverings1 which are spread over two chairs placed before the open window2 the mattress is half turned over1 and night clothes and pillows are placed near the window4 ,the slops are then emptied1 bowl and all toilet articles washed in hot water and dried1 pitcher emptied and refilled with fresh water1 and soiled towels replaced by clean ones4 ,soiled towels must never be used to clean the crockery4 ,cleaning cloths for bedroom use should be kept for that purpose alone4 ,once a week slop receptacles must be scalded with sal soda water and stood in the sun4 ,after an hour the windows may be closed and the bed made4 ,the first thing is to turn the mattress--end for end one day1 side for side the next--and then comes the pad1 and after it the sheets4 ,the lower one is put on right side up1 drawn tight1 and tucked in smoothly all around2 the upper should be wrong side up1 drawn well up to the head1 and tucked in at the bottom1 and the blankets brought up to within half a yard of the head1 with the open end at the top4 ,when all is straight and even1 the upper sheet is turned back smoothly over the blankets and both are tucked snugly in4 ,the counterpane1 which was folded and laid aside during the night1 then goes on1 and is brought down evenly over the foot and sides of the bed1 the bedroll or day pillows are added1 and the bed is itself again4 ,on ,saturday the bottom sheet is replaced by the top sheet1 which1 in turn1 is replaced by a clean one1 and the pillowcases are changed4 ,the spread usually needs changing about once a month4 ,the night pillows are now beaten and put away1 and night clothes are hung in the closet4 ,other articles are put in their places1 the dresser top is brushed off and its various contents properly arranged1 litter is taken up with dustpan and brush1 or carpet-sweeper1 and the room is dusted4 ,opened windows at night are a foregone conclusion4 ,,vermin ,,and ,,their ,,extermination ,though it seems indelicate to suggest the possibility of a bug in a well-kept1 charming chamber1 even the best housekeeping is not always proof against feeling things at night4 ,metal beds are rather inhospitable to bugs1 and if carefully examined1 with the mattress1 once a week1 there is small danger of their getting a foothold4 ,if traces are discovered1 hunt out the bugs and exterminate them if possible1 and sprinkle bed and mattress with a good1 reliable insect powder2 or spray with gasolene1 or wood alcohol and corrosive sublimate1 and keep the room shut up for a few hours4 ,baseboard and moldings should also be treated in this way4 ,if1 after repeating several times1 this proves ineffectual1 smoke out the room with sulphur1 first removing all silver and brass articles and winding those which cannot be moved with cloth4 ,then proceed according to directions for fumigating the closet1 using a pound of sulphur for a room of average size4 ,if the room has become badly infested1 it will be best to tear off the wall and ceiling paper1 and fill all cracks and crevices with plaster of ,paris4 ,such shreds of self-respect as these terrors by night may possess cannot long survive such treatment1 and they will soon depart to that country from whose bourne no bug returns4 ,,chapter ,x ,,the ,,bathroom ,with the subject of the bathroom before us1 it would seem to be in order to promulgate the only really true theory of bathing4 ,but this is not a treatise upon hygiene1 and the world already has been flooded with advice on this subject1 ranging from the urgings of those amphibiously inclined folk who would each day run the whole gamut of splash1 souse1 and scrub1 to the theories of the dauntless ,chicago doctor who would put all humanity on a level by abolishing bathing altogether4 ,so we shall merely discuss the means of making the bathroom attractive and serviceable1 trusting to our individual good sense for its proper use4 ,everyone has heard of the good woman who was showing some friends about her new home4 ,the bathtub was an object of special pride4 ,why1 she exclaimed1 in a glow of enthusiasm1 it's so nice that we can scarcely wait till ,saturday night4 ,we may laugh at her navet1 but there is a good deal more of the waiting for ,saturday night proposition than is good for--some of our neighbors4 ,and1 on the other hand1 there is more of the heroic sort of bathing by faithful devotees of cleanliness than is necessary4 ,the persistent spirit will have his bath1 if it has to be with bowl and sponge in a cold room4 ,but while most persons are persistently cleanly1 bathing in the interest of healthfulness should be regular1 and it should be enjoyable1 and it cannot be either unless the bathroom is properly equipped and is ready for service when wanted4 ,even at some extra cost1 it should be made possible to secure hot water promptly1 and without agitating the whole household1 at any reasonable hour of any day of the week4 ,no family that we ever knew went bankrupt on account of the cost of hot water for bathing1 and if they did they would have a pretty valid excuse4 ,,plumbing ,the bathroom is the heart of the plumbing problem1 and it is not necessary to declare that the plumbing is the most important feature of the house1 so far as health is concerned4 ,did we examine an old house 7one of even ten years ago7 with a view to purchasing or renting1 the condition of the plumbing would be a first consideration4 ,if it were not safe and in good order1 we should have to make it so1 for of course no one who is mentally competent would take any chances on such a menace to the family welfare4 ,and to repair antiquated plumbing is an ungrateful task1 while to replace it entirely requires both courage and a willingness to let go of one's money in large wads4 ,now1 we want to remember that we shall wish to have our plumbing satisfactory1 not only when the house is new1 but ten years later1 when it is not new4 ,to make sure of this1 we need first of all to know something of modern methods and equipment4 ,then we should employ a capable plumber1 though he may cost us more than the merely passable sort4 ,finally1 we should supplement good workmanship with the best materials4 ,it may be noted that after the supply houses have evolved the best materials1 in the sense that the materials are convenient1 good to look at1 and perfectly sanitary1 they add frills and decorations that bring up the cost to any amount we insist upon spending4 ,but we can get what we really require without paying for the frills1 if we exhibit tolerable ability in the selection of essentials4 ,open plumbing is1 of course1 the only sort that any self-respecting plumber of these days would consent to put in2 if he hints at anything else1 we may well be suspicious of him4 ,not only should the plumbing be where we can see and get at it1 but sinks1 lavatories1 and tubs should have no inclosures that may retain filth or become water-soaked4 ,sewer gas is not the only evil to be guarded against1 but it is the greatest4 ,it is also the subtlest1 for in some of its most deadly forms it is inodorous1 and usually does its work before we become conscious of its existence4 ,the poisonous gas is not necessarily generated in the sewer1 but may be created anywhere in the pipes that obstructions or uneven surfaces permit filth to accumulate4 ,if1 however1 the plumbing is modern and of substantial quality to begin with1 has stood all the tests1 and is accessible and fairly well understood by at least one member of the household1 reasonable vigilance will obviate practically all worry about sewer gas4 ,,bathroom ,,location ,,and ,,furnishing ,usually the bathroom is placed in a central location on the second floor1 accessible1 if possible1 by both rear and front stairways4 ,in a small house the upper floor is always advisable1 as the bathroom should be well retired from the living quarters4 ,where the space can be spared1 there should be a closet1 however1 on the main floor1 or at least in the basement1 where it will be readily accessible from the back part of the house4 ,if the bathtub is popular with the household1 it is in constant use1 and for this reason the closet is in some cases cut off from it1 and is reached by a separate door4 ,illustration3 ,the bathroom4 ,the principal thought being to eliminate anything which will retain water1 tile or rubber flooring is preeminently best for the bathroom4 ,if wood is substituted1 it should be oak or maple1 thoroughly oiled4 ,nothing should rest upon the floor to prevent any portion of the surface from being thoroughly cleaned4 ,a tile wainscoting is almost indispensable4 ,paper will not stand steam and moisture1 and calcimine is scarcely better4 ,canvas or burlap above a four- or five-foot wainscoting makes an attractive combination4 ,all-white is not called for1 but light tints of green1 buff1 or terra cotta will give a softening touch of color without destroying the general effect of immaculateness4 ,art glass in the window can scarcely fail to add to the attractiveness of the room4 ,it may be had for from #ge cents to #c4ej per square foot4 ,a rug is an essential1 but it should be of a sort that will not readily absorb and retain water4 ,speaking of the window1 it must be observed that outdoor ventilation1 without disturbing privacy1 should be made possible4 ,often a bathroom becomes quite suffocating1 and with weakly persons the danger of being overcome in a locked room is not to be left out of consideration4 ,,the ,,tub ,the tub may be of enameled iron or of porcelain4 ,the former costs very much less and is almost as satisfactory as the latter1 though in the cheaper sorts at least the enamel will eventually crack4 ,of course it can be reenameled1 but in most things for the home there will be enough of repairing without counting too much upon the ease with which it may be done4 ,that which will go longest without any repairs is usually best4 ,still1 as between the two kinds of tubs1 one can scarcely make a mistake either way1 and the difference in price will govern the decision of most of us4 ,to be consistent in our thought of keeping the floor clear1 we should have a bathtub that rests upon legs4 ,it should not1 if avoidable1 be placed under the window1 and if it can be several inches from the wall1 it is more easily cleaned on the outside1 and the space next to the wall need not accumulate--or at least retain--soap1 towels1 and sponges that elude the grasp of the bather4 ,tubs come in lengths from four to six feet1 and cost accordingly4 ,the comfort of a six-foot bath to persons of any considerable elongation is always manifest1 while a four-foot tub is merely better than a footbath4 ,where hot water is not on tap in unlimited quantities1 five feet is a fair compromise4 ,in porcelain enameled ware a tub of this size costs from #bg to #fj1 without fittings4 ,the better-class goods1 included in this range1 are warranted not to crack or craze4 ,porcelain prices are almost double those mentioned4 ,if we want stripings or pretty flowers or highly ornamented legs for the tub1 we will be permitted to pay for them1 but they are scarcely requisites in the bathroom economy4 ,waste and overflow arrangements for the tub must be well looked after4 ,when the master of the household is likely at any time to turn on the water for a dip and then become absorbed in studying the latest automobile catalogue1 one feels safer to know that the superfluous water will find a ready outlet through the pipes1 rather than the floors and halls4 ,the same precautions are to be observed with the lavatory1 where young ,america may choose to devote himself to original experiments in hydrostatics instead of performing the simple process of expeditiously removing the grime from his digits4 ,,the ,,lavatory ,anything that is all of one piece is likely to prove more lasting than the other kinds1 in the lavatory4 ,there are various combinations1 some of them including handsome marble tops1 but basin and top should not be separate4 ,if the wall is tile1 the back that fits to it is not essential2 but if the back is used1 it should be of a piece with the slab1 bowl1 and apron1 to avoid ugly cracks and breakage4 ,the bracket form is usually regarded as most convenient1 as legs are often in the way1 unobtrusive looking as they may be4 ,another method of attachment is by a concealed wall hanger4 ,the pedestal design is somewhat more artistic1 but additionally expensive not only in the beginning1 but afterward in the event of damage4 ,lavatories in enameled iron cost from #af to #ge1 including fittings and pipes above floor4 ,some people like running water in their bedrooms1 and a private lavatory is certain to be appreciated by visitors4 ,objection has been made that the introduction of plumbing into the bedroom affords a new source of sewer-gas poisoning1 but with modern materials and workmanship this need not be feared4 ,for the bedroom the supply man will recommend the pedestal arrangement1 costing about #ej2 but less expensive forms might serve4 ,of course every additional outlet1 such as this1 increases the piping bill and outlay for labor4 ,,the ,,closet ,so far as the health of the family is concerned1 the most important feature of the bathroom is the closet4 ,here it would be simply folly for us to let any consideration of dollars prompt us to substitute an inferior or out-of-date apparatus for the safe kind4 ,it would be better to sell the piano or even to steal the money from the baby's bank4 ,the only safety against sewer gas in the closet is to prevent it 7the gas7 from entering the house1 and to make sure that gas from the water pipes is given an adequate exit and compelled to make use of it4 ,the old-style washout closet was a pretty good assurance that the one gas would get in and that the other could not get out4 ,the siphon closet of recent manufacture seems to be a much more dependable sort of contraption1 though we need not accept as gospel the makers' assertion that it is perfection4 ,the most reliable way to shut out gas is with water4 ,even in the old closets it was supposed that the outlet pipe would be kept covered with water1 but as one could not see where the water was or was not1 the supposition wasn't always to be regarded as proper material for an affidavit4 ,many a person has moped around and growled at the weather or the cook or anything he could think of to blame1 when it was the cheap old plumbing arrangement he hadn't thought of that was at the bottom of his misery4 ,sometimes1 too1 we think a little sewer gas is preferable to the plumber and his bill2 but that is a very silly thought indeed4 ,the siphon closet not only overflows1 but it siphons1 or draws out1 the contents of the bowl4 ,this is replaced with clear water1 which completely shuts off the outlet pipe4 ,comparing the actions of the two systems1 we readily see the better cleansing power of the double action1 while the seal on the vent pipe is always evident4 ,a good siphon closet costs from #cj to #ej1 and unless we find something still safer we would better choose it4 ,the low tank is preferable in many ways to the sort that is attached to the wall near the ceiling4 ,it is more compact1 can be installed under windows or stairways1 and looks better4 ,besides1 it is not so noisy and operates with greater ease1 with either chain or push button4 ,the extra cost is slight4 ,,hot ,,water ,,and ,,how ,,to ,,get ,,it ,we have named the essentials for use in a bathroom4 ,but there are other features that add much to its convenience and attractiveness4 ,some of these need not be purchased at once2 in fact1 it is better here1 as elsewhere in the house1 to let many things wait upon a demonstration of their need4 ,a bathroom without plenty of hot water accessible is not1 as we have previously hinted1 likely to become a popular resort4 ,when the wash boiler and the tea kettle have to be heated on the range and brought up in a precarious progress that threatens a scalding for fingers1 feet1 and floors1 to even hint the possibility of the entire household's insisting upon a daily hot bath suggests lunacy4 ,but if the hot-water tank is dependent upon the furnace or other house-heating arrangement1 summer is likely to find it out of commission1 with the chief element of a good bath obtainable only with much ado4 ,then some special means of heating water is required4 ,there are many devices1 most of them using gas1 and disposed to be cantankerous late at night when all but the would-be bather have retired4 ,the gas heaters are placed either in connection with the water tank in kitchen or basement1 or above the tub1 the water running in coils over the heater4 ,these arrangements are speedy and comparatively economical4 ,they are slightly dangerous1 however2 not that they are likely to explode1 but from the fact that the gas1 particularly if of a poor quality--which is usually the case--rapidly vitiates the air of the room1 and may cause fainting or even suffocation4 ,if the apparatus is properly adjusted1 and one makes sure of the ventilation1 heating the water and admitting fresh air before entering the tub1 no distress need be anticipated4 ,there are also gasolene and kerosene heaters1 and an electric coil placed in the water is the safest and cleanest but not the quickest or cheapest scheme of all4 ,its cost is from #e to #bj4 ,none of these heating attachments is sure to prove fully satisfactory1 but any one of them is likely to add a great deal to the serviceableness of the bathroom4 ,to many wholesome people one ideal of living is to be able to take a dip whenever one wants it1 not merely when one can get it4 ,a seat of wood1 in natural finish or white enamel1 is a handy appurtenance to the tub4 ,it will cost us #ej or #ge cents at a department store1 or we can pay four or five times as much for a fancier quality at the supply house4 ,,bathroom ,,fittings ,of soap holders there are innumerable designs3 nickel plated or rubber4 ,the latter will hardly be chosen4 ,a sort that will come as near as any to permitting one to grasp the soap without sending it to the far corner of the room has a grooved bottom and is retailed for #de cents4 ,a sponge holder at the same price will keep that useful article within reach1 and for the towels there are bars1 rings1 and projecting arms4 ,nickel-plated brass or glass bars are preferred1 as the rings are elusive affairs for both hands and towels1 while the projecting arms are usually unsubstantial1 and if placed too high1 constantly threaten to stimulate the artificial-eye market4 ,the bars1 if strongly attached to the wall1 sometimes are a friend in need when one is getting in or out of the tub or regaining equilibrium after balancing on one foot4 ,a mirror of good plate but simple design should be in the room1 not necessarily over the lavatory1 but better so4 ,nice ones may be had for #c or more4 ,there are tooth-brush and tumbler holders galore1 and some one of these arrangements will be found useful4 ,the kind that provides for a toothpowder box1 and has numbered compartments for brushes1 is best1 though there is something to be said for the retention of such articles within the private domains of their individual owners4 ,an attachment for toilet paper may be had for a quarter or for a dollar1 and a workable one is worth while1 as is a good quality of paper4 ,a glass shelf1 costing anywhere from #a4ge to #ab1 is almost a necessity1 but there are better places than the bathroom for the medicine cabinet4 ,a single-tube shower-bath attachment of the simplest sort is a lot better than none1 and need not cost over #ej cents4 ,the more adaptable kind1 with two ends1 will be found ticketed at about #b4 ,thence up to the elaborate fittings at #bej there are many variations4 ,sitz baths and footbaths are rather superfluous in the ordinary bathroom1 but we can spend a hundred dollars for the one and half that for the other without being taken for plutocrats4 ,a very fair bathroom1 such as would please most of us1 may be equipped on a scale about as follows3 ,bathtub4444444444444444444444444444444 #cf4jj ,five feet long1 three-inch roll rim1 porcelain enameled1 nickel-plated double bath cock1 supply pipes1 connected waste and overflow with cleanout4 ,lavatory4444444444444444444444444444444 #cj4jj ,twenty by twenty-four inches1 porcelain enameled1 slab1 bowl and apron on four sides in one piece1 nickel-plated waste1 low-pattern compression faucets with china indexes1 supply pipes with compression stops1 and vented traps4 ,closet444444444444444444444444444444444 #ce4jj ,porcelain enameled1 siphonic1 oak saddle seat and cover1 oak tank 7low set7 with marble top and push button1 nickel-plated supply pipe with compression stop4 ,total for main essentials44444444444444#aja4jj ,tub seat1 natural oak44444444444444444 #j4ej ,soap holder444444444444444444444444444 4#ij ,sponge holder4444444444444444444444444 4#ie ,toothbrush and tumbler holder444444444 4#ge ,glass shelf444444444444444444444444444 #a4ge ,shower attachment444444444444444444444 #b4jj ,mirror44444444444444444444444444444444 #c4jj ,robe hooks4444444444444444444444444444 4#ge ,towel bars4444444444444444444444444444 #a4jj ,toilet-paper holder4444444444444444444 4#ej ,towel basket44444444444444444444444444 #a4jj ,grand total444444444444444444444444444#aac4aj ,,chapter ,,xi ,,cellar1 ,,attic1 ,,and ,,closets ,modern city and town life1 with butcher and grocer so conveniently near1 has done away to some extent with the cellar of ye olden tyme--dubbed one of the aids to successful diplomacy1 the other being that very necessary adjunct1 a good cook4 ,those were truly days of bounteous hospitality and plenty which filled the cellar with barrels of apples of every variety1 bins of potatoes1 bushels of turnips and onions1 barrels of pork put down1 corned beef1 kegs of cider turning to vinegar1 crocks of pickles and preserves of all kinds1 quarters of beef1 pans of sausage1 tubs of lard and butter1 and--oh1 fruits and good things of the earth which we now know only as a tale that is told4 ,but the cellar of to-day accommodates itself to to-day's needs1 for though we may still lay in some commodities in quantity1 we know the things of to-morrow can be had from the market on comparatively short notice4 ,nevertheless1 the things of to-day--and some other things--must be carefully stowed away1 and the deeps of the house made hygienic1 for as the cellar1 so will the house be also1 and to this might be added that as the floor1 so will the cellar be also4 ,,the ,,cellar ,,floor ,in country places1 where there is no sewage to contaminate the soil1 a hard1 well-beaten dirt floor is not particularly objectionable1 except that it cannot well be cleaned4 ,boards raised from the ground by small blocks nailed to the under side1 and leading to bins1 cupboards1 and furnace room1 should be laid across it to prevent the tracking of dirt to the upper rooms1 and these little walks must be swept and kept free from dirt and dust4 ,if the cellar is floored with boards1 the flooring should be raised sufficiently to allow free circulation of air beneath it2 but the only strictly sanitary flooring is of concrete1 six inches thick1 covered from wall to wall with ,portland or other good cement4 ,cellars1 being below the street1 and therefore receiving some of the surface drainage1 are prone to dampness1 and1 are easily contaminated by leakage from drains and sewers1 and other filth communicated to them through the soil4 ,these conditions are largely counteracted by the concrete and cement flooring1 which also bars the entrance of ants and other vermin4 ,the communication of damp cellar air1 polluted by noxious gases from sewers and decaying vegetable matter1 to the upper parts of the house is responsible for many an otherwise unexplainable case of rheumatism1 consumption1 typhoid1 and other diseases1 and any outlay of time and money which can render the cellar wholesome and immune to ravages of agents external and beyond our control1 must not be grudged4 ,,ventilation ,one who owns his home can adopt preventive measures1 such as outside area ways or air spaces1 impossible to the renter2 but certain ounces of prevention are available to all4 ,for instance3 if drain pipes run through the cellar1 have them examined often for leaks2 if there is an open drain1 wash it out frequently with copperas and water1 and give it an occasional flushing with chloride of lime or lye in strong solution to destroy any possible odor arising from it2 and see that the roof drains do not empty too near the house1 thus dampening the cellar walls4 ,whitewash the walls semiannually1 not only for sanitary reasons but to lighten the darkness visible1 and above all else--have sufficient ventilation6 ,a perfect circulation of air is insured when there are opposite windows2 but whatever their location1 all windows should hang from the top on hinges1 or be so put in that they can be easily removed from the inside2 for open they must be1 and that all the year round1 except in the coldest winter weather1 and even then they can be opened during the warmer hours of the middle of the day without danger of freezing the contents of the cellar4 ,the cellar can be protected from invasion from without by galvanized iron netting1 and wire screens will exclude the flies4 ,both screens must1 however1 be so adjusted that they will not interfere with the opening and closing of the windows4 ,,the ,,partitioned ,,cellar ,the cellar which is partitioned off into small rooms is more easily cared for and kept in order than that which consists of just the one large space4 ,rough pine-board partitions cost very little1 and one to shut off the furnace 7provided there be one7 from the rest of the room is absolutely necessary1 since the heat which it generates must not be allowed to spread and so spoil the cellar for cold-storage purposes1 for warm1 damp air hastens the degeneration of vegetables and meats4 ,unless some other provision is made in the cellar plan for the coal1 a strong bin1 with one section movable1 should be built for it in the furnace room4 ,to the posts of this bin hang the shovels--one large and one small--used in handling the coal4 ,the premature burial of many a shovel might have been prevented had its owner only bethought him of those simple expedients1 hammer and nails4 ,a strip of leather nailed to another post supports ax or hatchet1 while near by is the neat pile of kindling which its sharp edge has made--perhaps out of old and useless boxes and barrels4 ,these must not be allowed to accumulate1 but be chopped up at once4 ,logs and large sticks have each their own pile1 while chips1 sawdust1 and shavings take up their abode in a large basket or box4 ,the ashes from the furnace go into boxes and barrels outside of the house4 ,,order ,,in ,,the ,,cellar ,the cellar is primarily a storing place for food1 and not an asylum for hopelessly maimed and decrepit furniture4 ,if there is any which is mendable1 mend and use it2 if not1 consign it to the kindling pile at once1 there to round out its career of usefulness4 ,odds and ends of rubbish collect very quickly and make a cellar unsightly and difficult to keep in order4 ,if necessary to keep certain boxes for future packing purposes1 pile them neatly against the wall where they will be out of the way1 or else send them up to the attic4 ,when there are no rooms partitioned off for their accommodation provide bins1 or their cheaper substitutes1 barrels or boxes1 for vegetables and fruits--boxes preferably1 since they are more shallow and their contents can thus be spread out more4 ,vegetables and fruits should be looked over frequently1 and anything showing signs of decay removed4 ,instead of placing boxes and barrels1 vinegar kegs1 firkins1 stone jars1 etc41 directly on the floor1 stand them on bricks1 small stones1 or pieces of board4 ,when so placed1 they are more easily handled and moved in cleaning1 and the circulation of air beneath prevents dampness and consequent decay4 ,,shelves ,,and ,,closets ,a swinging shelf--double or single--held by supports at the four corners1 securely nailed to the joists of the floor above1 is almost indispensable to the convenience of the cellar4 ,it should be about three feet wide and from six to eight feet in length1 and may be covered on three sides with galvanized wire fly netting1 the fourth side to have double frame doors1 also wire-covered1 and swinging outward4 ,ordinary cotton netting can he used instead of the wire1 and is of course cheaper1 but must he renewed each year1 while the wire will last indefinitely4 ,and so we have evolved a cool1 flyless place for our pans of milk1 meats1 cooked and uncooked1 fresh vegetables1 cakes1 pastry1 etc4 ,if poultry or meat is to be hung here for a little while1 wrap it in brown paper or unbleached muslin4 ,wash the shelves once a week with sal soda water and dry thoroughly4 ,a windowless closet as far as possible from the furnace1 and best built under some small extension1 thus giving it three cool stone walls1 is the place where preserves and jellies keep best4 ,label each jar and glass distinctly and arrange in rows on the shelves1 taller ones behind1 shorter in front4 ,if there is no closet of this kind1 a cupboard1 standing firmly on the floor1 can easily be built1 for preserves must have darkness as well as coolness2 otherwise they are apt to turn dark and to ferment4 ,the shelves of the fruit closet must be examined frequently for traces of that stickiness which tells that some bottle of fruit is working and leaking4 ,pickles keep better in crocks on the cellar bottom4 ,laundry tubs and scrub pails are usually kept1 bottom up1 in the cellar4 ,all articles stored there should be well wrapped in strong paper and securely tied1 and it will be found a great convenience1 especially at cleaning time1 to hang many things from the ceiling beams4 ,the cellar should be swept and put to rights every two weeks1 cobwebs brushed down1 and all corners well looked after4 ,here1 as nowhere else1 is the personal supervision of the housewife essential4 ,,the ,,attic ,it is with a lump in our throats and an ache in our hearts that we turn our thoughts wistfully backward to that place of hallowed memories1 which is itself becoming simply a memory--the attic6 ,what happy hours we spent there1 rummaging among its treasures1 soothed by its twilight quiet1 and a little awed by the ghosts of the past which seemed to hover about each old chest and horsehair trunk and gayly flowered carpet bag2 each andiron and foot warmer and spinning wheel and warming pan6 ,roof and floor of wide1 rough boards1 stained by age and leaks2 tiny1 cobweb-curtained windows2 everything dusty1 dim1 mysterious6 ,where is it now8 ,gone--pushed aside by the march of civilization2 supplanted by the modern lathed and plastered attic1 with its smoothly laid floor1 which harbors neither mice nor memories4 ,and though we sigh as we say so1 the attic of to-day is a better kept1 more compact1 more hygienic affair than its ancestor2 for we have grown to realize that sentiment must sometimes be sacrificed to sense4 ,whatever comes we must have hygiene1 even at the expense of the little spirit germ which seems sometimes to develop best in the dim religious light4 ,for we cannot forget ,victor ,hugo and ,balzac and ,tom ,moore in their attics4 ,,order ,,and ,,care ,,of ,,attic ,frequently so much of the attic space is finished off for bed and other rooms that what remains is somewhat limited1 and cannot be turned into a catch-all for the may-be-usefuls4 ,indeed1 only such things as have true worth should go into it1 whatever its size1 these to be carefully stowed away1 like things together--boxes1 furniture1 winter stovepipes with their elbows1 piles of magazines systematically tied together by years1 trunks1 etc4 ,in each trunk place its own special key and strap1 and when garments or other articles are packed therein1 fasten to the lid a complete list of its contents4 ,upholstered furniture must be closely covered with old muslin or ticking4 ,the family tool chest seems to fit into the attic1 as well as the small boxes of nails1 rolls of wire1 screws1 bolts1 and the hundred odds and ends of hardware which the lord of the house must be able to lay his hand on when he wants to do any tinkering about the place4 ,a semiannual sweeping1 mopping1 and dusting will keep the attic in good condition if thoroughly done1 with the help of the place for everything1 and everything in its place1 a precept as well as an example which has entered prominently into the upbringing of most of us4 ,here is another spot where corners and cobwebs like to hobnob1 and such intimacy must be sternly discouraged4 ,if old garments are kept in the attic1 they should be either packed away in labeled boxes or trunks1 or hung on a line stretched across the room and carefully covered with an old sheet4 ,this line is also serviceable when rainy days and lack of other room make it necessary1 to dry the washing here4 ,the modern attic is for utility only1 and so its story is soon told4 ,,closets ,if woman's rights would only usurp one more of what have hitherto been almost exclusively man's rights--the profession of architecture--she would in truth become the architect1 not only of her own fortune1 but of the fortunes of a suffering sisterhood1 whose great plaint is1 ,so many things and no place to put them6 ,for who ever knew a mere man1 architect and artist of the beautiful though he were1 who had even the beginning of a realization of the absolute necessity for closets--large ones1 light ones1 and plenty of them8 ,in his special castle1 boxes1 bundles1 and clothing seem to have a magic way of disposing of themselves1 somewhere1 somewhen1 somehow1 and so it does not occur to him that his own particular ,clorinda is conducting a private condensing plant which could put those of the large packers to the blush4 ,but let him have just one experience of straightening out and putting to rights1 and then only will he appreciate that closets are even more essential than cozy corners and unexpected nooks and crannies for holding pieces of statuary and collecting dust4 ,if a woman could be the ,company of every firm of architects1 there would be an evolution in home building which would lengthen the lives and shorten the labors of lady-managers in many lands4 ,when that comfortable wish becomes a reality1 let us hope that ,let there be light will be printed in large black letters across the space to be occupied by each closet in every house plan1 for the average closet is so dark that even a self-respecting family skeleton would decline to occupy it1 evil though its deeds are supposed to be4 ,the downpour of the miscellaneous collection of a closet's shelves upon the blind groper after some particular package thereon1 gives convincing proof that absence of light means presence of confusion2 while it also invites the elusive moth to come in and make himself at home--which he does4 ,,the ,,linen ,,closet ,but after all1 it is a blessed good thing to have some closets1 even dark ones1 and proper care and attention will go a long way toward remedying their defects4 ,clothes closets we must have1 china closets we usually have1 and linen closets we sometimes have1 not always4 ,to the housewife who possesses a linen closet it is a source of particular pride1 and the stocking and care of it her very special pleasure4 ,its drawers should be deep and its shelves wide and well apart--not less than eighteen inches1 and even more in the case of the upper ones1 for the accommodation of the reserve supply of blankets1 quilts1 and other bed coverings4 ,arrange on the lower shelves the piles of counterpanes1 sheets1 and pillowcases in constant use1 linen and cotton in separate piles1 and those of the same size together4 ,washcloths and towels1 heavy1 fine1 bath and hand1 have each their own pile on shelf or in drawer1 according to room4 ,shams and other dainty bed accessories go into the drawers1 one of which may be dedicated to the neat strips and tight rolls of old linen and cotton cloth1 worn-out underclothing1 etc41 as they gradually accumulate4 ,where no provision is made for a linen closet1 a case of the wardrobe type1 built along the inner wall of a wide hall1 answers the purpose very well1 and is not unpleasing to the eye if made to harmonize with the other woodwork4 ,a closet of this kind may vary in width from four to six feet1 with swinging or sliding doors1 preferably the latter1 and drawers and shelves1 or shelves alone4 ,or there may be a cupboard above and shelves below1 or vice versa4 ,,clothes ,,closets ,clothes closets of this description can also be built against unoccupied bedroom walls1 the objection to the number of doors thus introduced being offset by the great convenience of having one's clothing immediately at hand1 exposed to light and to view directly the doors are opened1 for we find things by sight here1 not by faith4 ,angles and recesses which have no special excuse for being are easily converted into closets1 one to be used as a hanging place for the various brooms1 brushes1 dustpans1 and dusters in use about the house4 ,brooms1 by the way1 must never be allowed to stand upon their bristles1 but must either stand upside down or hang4 ,another nook becomes a convenient place for hanging canvas or ticking bags filled with odds and ends of dress goods1 white and colored1 news and wrapping papers1 balls of twine1 and other pick-me-ups4 ,,the ,,china ,,closet ,the china closet is designed for the accommodation of everything in use on the dining table1 with drawers or cupboards for linen and silver1 and shelves for dishes4 ,the latter should be arranged with an eye to artistic effect as well as to convenience1 platters and decorative plates standing on edge and kept from slipping by a strip of molding nailed to the shelf1 pretty cups hanging1 and those of more common material and design inverted to keep out the dust4 ,stand the large and heavy pieces1 vegetable dishes1 and piles of plates on the bottom shelf1 and on the next cups and saucers1 sauce dishes1 small plates1 etc41 placing the smaller dishes in front1 the taller ones behind4 ,the third shelf may be devoted to glass alone1 with tumblers inverted and bowls and odd pieces tastefully arranged1 or to both glass and silver4 ,on the fourth shelf place such pieces of glass and silver as are only occasionally brought into service4 ,personal taste and convenience dictate to a great extent the placing of the dishes1 but absolute neatness and spotlessness must hold sway4 ,no other closet is more prone to disarrangement than the china closet1 where the careless disposal of one dish seems to invite the general disorder which is sure to follow4 ,for this reason it demands the frequent rearranging which it should receive4 ,its walls should harmonize in color with those of the dining room4 ,small1 fringed napkins or doilies on and overhanging the shelves help to impart an air of daintiness and make a pretty setting for the dishes4 ,when the china closet does not connect with the dining room1 but is a thing apart1 its shelves may receive the same treatment accorded those in the pantry--white paper or oilcloth covering and valance4 ,while well-filled linen and china closets appeal to the aesthetic side of the housewife1 clothes closets speak directly to her common-sense1 managerial side4 ,if she had a say-so in the matter1 their name would be ,legion1 but she must not think over-hardly of the few she has1 for they are invaluable developers of her genius for putting infinite riches in a little room2 while the constant tussle in their depths with moth and dust induces a daily enlargement of her moral biceps--and her patience4 ,may their shadow never grow less 7perish the thought674 ,,closet ,,tightness ,before anything goes into a closet see that all the cracks in the floor are entirely filled with putty1 plaster of ,paris1 or sawdust1 for otherwise dust and lint will accumulate in them1 and there the beetle will find a house and the moth a nest for herself4 ,whiting and linseed oil mixed well together until the paste is smooth will make the putty4 ,the plaster of ,paris is easily prepared by mixing the powder with cold water till it is of the right consistency to spread1 but it hardens so quickly that only a little can be made ready at a time4 ,or1 dissolve one pound of glue in two gallons of water1 and stir into it enough sawdust to make a thick paste4 ,any of these preparations can be colored to match the floor1 put into the cracks with a common steel knife1 and made smooth and even with the boards4 ,a better way1 however1 seems to be to omit the coloring and give the entire floor two coats of paint after the cracks are filled4 ,there are those who prefer covering the floor with enamel cloth2 but try as we will1 it is all but impossible to fit it so closely that dust and animal life cannot slip under it4 ,,closet ,,furnishing ,the floors attended to1 next see that there are plenty of hooks screwed on the cleat which should extend around three sides of the closet4 ,they must be at a convenient height1 say five feet1 and three inches below the first of two or three shelves1 to be not over fifteen inches apart1 thus making at least two available for use4 ,on the under side of this first shelf screw double hooks1 and additional hanging room can be made by suspending a movable rod across the closet on which to hang coat hooks holding garments4 ,skirts1 waists1 and coats hold their shape far better when disposed of in this way1 and can be packed closely together4 ,a twelve-inch piece of barrel hoop wound with cambric or muslin1 and with a loop at the center1 is a good substitute for the commercial hook4 ,on the shelves go hat and other boxes1 and various parcels1 each to be plainly labeled4 ,a chest of drawers at one end of the closet is handy for the disposal of delicate gowns1 extra underwear1 furs1 summer dresses1 etc41 while a shoe bag insures additional order4 ,the soiled-clothes hamper belongs1 not in the clothes closet1 but in the bathroom4 ,too much emphasis cannot be placed on this4 ,the odor from the linen pollutes the naturally close air of the closet and clings to everything it contains4 ,,care ,,of ,,closets ,,and ,,contents ,wash the woodwork1 drawers1 floor1 and shelves of all closets thoroughly with water containing a few drops of carbolic acid--not enough to burn the hands--and wipe dry4 ,painted walls which can also be washed are most desirable2 if calcimined1 the tinting must be renewed each year4 ,if furs are to be put away1 brush and beat well1 and then comb to remove possible moths or eggs1 sprinkle with camphor gum1 wrap in old cotton or linen cloth1 then in newspaper1 and tie securely4 ,moths1 not being literary in their tastes1 will never enter therein4 ,all woolens should be put away in the same manner4 ,the closet is clean and sanitary now1 and the main thing is to keep it so4 ,all garments ought to be thoroughly brushed and aired before hanging away1 particularly in the summer time1 with a special application of energy to the bottoms of street gowns1 the microscopic examination of one of which revealed millions of tubercular germs--not a pleasant thought1 but a salutary one1 let us hope4 ,it seems such a pity that the sun1 that great destroyer of bacteria1 cannot shine into our closets2 but until the new architect comes to our rescue with a window1 all we can do to sweeten them is to remove the clothing and air by leaving doors and adjacent windows open for a couple of hours4 ,an annual disinfecting with sulphur fumes will destroy all germs of insect life4 ,use powdered sulphur--it is far more effective than the sulphur candles which are sold for the same purpose4 ,stand an old pie plate or other tin in a pan of water2 on it build a little fire of paper and fine kindling1 pour on the powdered sulphur1 and leave to smudge and smoke for twenty-four hours4 ,the closet must be sealed up as tight as possible1 every crack1 crevice1 and keyhole being stuffed with newspaper to prevent the fumes from escaping1 the entering door1 of course1 being sealed after the fumes are started4 ,if one desires the sealing to be doubly sealed1 newspaper strips two inches wide and pasted together to make several thicknesses1 can be pasted over cracks in doors and windows with a gum-tragacanth solution1 prepared by soaking two tablespoons of the gum in one pint of cold water for an hour1 then placing the bowl in a pan of boiling water1 and stirring till dissolved4 ,this is easily washed off and will not stain or discolor the woodwork4 ,although there is an impression to the contrary1 clothing may be left in the closet with entire safety during the smoking1 provided it is well away from the fire4 ,indeed1 clothing needs purifying as much as closet1 and an occasional disinfecting will help on the good work of sanitation4 ,after the closet is once rid of moths1 tar paper specially prepared for the purpose and tacked on the walls1 is effectual in keeping them away1 for they seem to smell the battle afar off4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,hangings1 ,,bric-,a-,,brac1 ,,books1 ,,and ,,pictures ,step by step is a good thought to hold when we reach the fancifying of the house1 as we only do after days of planning1 nights of waking1 over the must-be's4 ,and1 after all1 these last accessories are divided from the necessaries by but a hair line1 for it is they which give the home its soul--that beautiful1 spiritual softness and radiance which we love and which differentiate the home from the house which is but its shell4 ,the life and spirit of the home should be one of growth and development1 which can only be achieved in a proper atmosphere and environment2 and these it now rests with the home builder to supply in the radiant harmony and softness which flow from these final trimmings1 which not only create but reflect character4 ,,the ,,charm ,,of ,,drapery ,hangings have a considerable share in making the home atmosphere1 their mission being to soften harsh angles and outlines and warm cold1 stiff plainness into comfort4 ,window curtains act as an equalizer in bringing the very best out of both light and dark rooms1 serving at the same time as a partial background for their contents2 while portires are not only aesthetic but useful in deadening sounds1 cutting off draughts1 and screening one room from another4 ,drapes1 those flimsy1 go-as-you-please looking bunches of poor taste knotted1 cascaded1 and festooned over mantels1 pictures1 and chair backs1 we have outgrown1 confining our efforts in this line to the silk draught curtain to conceal the inelegant yawn of an open grate2 and even this is being supplanted by the small screen4 ,,curtains ,windows must be curtained with relation to their shape and position and the nature of the room4 ,the lower floor of the house1 being naturally the heavier1 can be curtained in a statelier manner than the lighter upper story4 ,here is the proper place for our handsome curtains of ,irish point and other appliqus of muslin or lace on net1 and of scrim with insertions and edges of ,renaissance1 ,cluny1 and other laces4 ,these curtains are manufactured in three shades--dark cream or cru1 light ivory1 and pure white1 the ivory being the richest and most desirable--and in simple1 inexpensive designs as well as those costly and elaborate1 and usually run about #ej1 #ed1 and #fj inches wide1 and #c #a_/b yards long4 ,the appliqu curtain wears better in an elaborate all-over design which holds the net together and gives it body1 cheaper designs which can be had as low as #h being coarser in quality and pattern4 ,nottingham curtains must be discredited among other imitations2 they are well-meaning but both tasteless and cheaply ostentatious4 ,lace curtains are rarely draped1 but hang in straight simplicity1 most of the fullness being arranged in the body that the border design may not be lost in the folds4 ,they are shirred with an inch heading on rods fastened outside of the window casing over which they extend1 and care must be taken1 if the pattern is prominent1 that corresponding figures hang opposite each other4 ,the double hem at the top is nearly twice the diameter of the pole1 with the extra length turned over next to the window1 the curtains1 when hung1 clearing the floor about #b inches4 ,they usually stretch down another inch1 which brings them to just the right length4 ,there is no between length in curtains2 they must be either sill or floor length4 ,over curtains may or may not be used with the lace curtains4 ,they are not necessary but have a certain decorative value1 particularly in a large room4 ,raw silk1 #cj inches wide1 and costing from #j4ge to #a4ej a yard1 is the only fabric sold now for this purpose for drawing-room use4 ,the inner curtains may be simply side curtains1 or made with a valance as well1 and hang from a separate pole to obscure the top of the casement and just escape the floor1 covering the outside edges of the lace curtains without concealing their borders4 ,the over curtain should reproduce the coloring of the side wall and ceiling in a shade between the two in density1 but if just the right tint cannot be caught1 recourse to some soft1 harmonious neutral tint will be necessary4 ,lining is not used unless there is an objection to the colored curtain showing from the street1 when the lining silk or sateen must be of the shade of the lace curtain4 ,almost any sort of pretty net or scrim curtain is appropriate for the downstairs windows1 with a preference in favor of the more dignified lace in the drawing-room4 ,with the other rooms we can take more liberty4 ,the ruffled curtain is sash length and looped with a band of the same1 or with a white cotton cord and tassel at the middle sash if the window be short1 otherwise midway between it and the sill4 ,there are fine fish nets1 or tulle de ,cadiz1 #de1 #ej1 and #fj inches wide at #ej cents a yard1 which make charming living- or dining-room curtains1 edged on three sides with the new #a-;inch fringe or fancy edge1 at #e and #aj cents a yard1 which comes for that purpose2 and madras1 plain or figured1 is also good1 a pretty combination being the fish net with colored madras over curtain4 ,raw-silk curtains are in use1 too1 but anything which stands too much between the home dwellers and the air and light is best avoided4 ,silk curtains are usually trimmed with a brush edge4 ,glass curtains are only necessary as a screen or to soften the harsh outline of a heavy curtain1 and must be as transparent and inconspicuous as possible1 the right side toward the glass4 ,they are sill length1 shirred to a small brass rod set inside the casing1 and draped if the over curtain hangs straight1 to maintain a balance4 ,those used on windows visible at once from the same quarter must be alike4 ,the lace panels with a center design which we sometimes see in windows1 but more frequently in doors1 are too severe to be either graceful or ornamental4 ,the vestibule door is best treated to correspond with the drawing-room windows1 with an additional silk curtain to be drawn at night2 or the silk curtain harmonizing with the woodwork of the hall may be used alone4 ,the curtaining of bedroom windows has already been discussed at some length4 ,swisses1 dimities1 figured muslins1 and madras1 either alone or supplemented by a valance1 an over curtain1 or both1 of madras1 chintz or cretonne1 are preeminently the bedroom curtains1 and may either be draped or hang straight1 depending somewhat on the shape of the window4 ,the long1 narrow window needs the broadening effect of the draped curtain1 the illusion of width being further increased by extending the curtain out to cover the casement1 while the straight-hanging curtain gives additional length to the short window4 ,frilled curtains are usually looped1 and seemingly increase the size of the room by enlarging the area of vision4 ,an extra allowance of #f inches is made for draping1 with an additional inch or two for shrinkage4 ,the charm of simplicity is always to be borne in mind when curtaining a room4 ,,porti,,res ,portires must serve their purpose1 which is most emphatically not that of drapery in the sense in which the word has been so much used1 but of convenience and utility1 beauty1 of course1 being the twin sister of the latter nowadays4 ,figured portires with plain walls1 and vice versa1 are the rule1 the coloring blending with both floor and walls and coming between the two in density4 ,again the neutral tint comes to the rescue if difficulty in matching is met4 ,there is almost an embarrassment of riches in portire materials in plain and figured velours1 woolen brocades1 soft tapestries1 furniture satins1 damasks1 velvets1 etc41 but we are learning the true art value of the simpler denims 7plain and fancy71 reps1 cotton tapestries1 rough1 heavy linens1 and monk's cloth--a kind of jute--for door hangings4 ,the plain goods in dull1 soft greens1 blues1 and browns1 with conventional designs in appliqu or outlining1 are not only inexpensive but artistic to a high degree1 and are easily fashioned by home talent4 ,plain strips1 too1 are used for trimming1 and stencil work1 but the latter requires rather more artistic ability than most of us possess4 ,whatever the material1 it must be soft enough to draw all the way back and leave a full opening1 but not so thin as to be flimsy and stringy4 ,the portiere is either shirred over the pole or hung from it by hook safety pins or rings sewed on at intervals of four inches4 ,double-faced goods have the hems on the side on which they will show least1 with any extra length turned over as a valance on the same side4 ,the finished curtain should hang one inch from the floor and will gradually stretch until it just escapes--the proper length4 ,single-faced materials are lined to harmonize with the room which receives the wrong side4 ,lengthwise stripes give a long1 narrow effect1 while crosswise stripes give an apparent additional width1 and plain materials seem to increase the size of a doorway4 ,rods may be either of a wood corresponding with the other woodwork1 or of brass1 with rings1 sockets1 and brackets of the same material1 the brass rod to be an inch in diameter and the wooden #a #a_/b inches or more and set inside the jambs4 ,portires are also of service in softening the opening of a large bay window1 making a cozy corner1 or cutting off an awkward length of hall4 ,when a doorway is very high it is better to carry the portire to within a foot or so of the top1 leaving the opening unfilled1 or supplying a simple grille of wood harmonizing with the wood of the door4 ,a pretty fashion is to introduce into this space a shelf on which to place pieces of brass or pottery4 ,beaded1 bamboo1 and rope affairs are neither draperies nor curtains1 graceful1 useful nor ornamental1 and are consequently not to be considered4 ,men of science may cry ,down with draperies6--but we members of that choicer cult known as domestic science stand loyally by them1 for though in draperies there may he microbes1 there is also largess of coziness and geniality4 ,,bric-,a-,,brac ,the old-fashioned whatnot with its hungrily gaping shelves is responsible for many crimes committed in the name of bric-a-brac1 and calls to mind sundry specimens with which proud owners were wont to satisfy its greed3 the glass case of wax or feather flowers1 flanked and reenforced by plush photograph frames1 shells1 china vases shining giltily1 silvered and beribboned toasters1 peacock-feather fans1 with perhaps a cup and saucer bearing testimony to our virtue with its ,for a good girl1 and other fill-upables1 gone but not forgotten4 ,and then followed a time when mantels and bookcase tops bore certain ills in the way of the more modern painted plaques1 strings of gilded nuts1 embroidered banners1 and porcelain and brass clocks so gaudy and bedizened as to explain why time flies4 ,but the architect has come to the rescue with his dignified1 stately mantel which repels the trivial familiarity of meaningless decoration1 and the bookcase whose simple1 quiet elegance is in itself decorative4 ,blessed be the nothingness which allows ,miladi to build her own art atmosphere untainted by gifts of well-intentioned but tasteless friends4 ,,the ,,growth ,,of ,,good ,,taste ,the germs of the capacity for good taste are born in most of us1 but must be sedulously cultivated before they can rightly be called taste1 and bric-a-brac presents the best of possibilities for their development4 ,begin by buying one piece which you know to be beautiful--simple and refined in outline1 choice in design1 modest in coloring1 and fit for the use to which it is to be put--live with it1 study it1 master it4 ,it will take on many unexpected charms as you grow to know it1 and when you are ready to select the next piece you will find that the germ of your talent for discrimination has quietly become other ten talents and grown into a reliable ability to separate the chaff from the wheat4 ,each acquisition will have its own peculiar individuality which1 once conquered1 means a liberal education4 ,,usefulness ,,with ,,beauty ,while all bric-a-brac should be beautiful1 some certain kinds1 such as lamps1 clocks1 and jardinires1 are also essentially useful1 and these have undergone a wonderful transformation during recent years as a result of the movement toward simplicity1 honesty of purpose1 and fitness4 ,it would be hard to imagine anything more incongruous than the porcelain lamp decorated with flowers of heroic endurance which blossomed unwiltingly on1 regardless of the heat2 or the frivolously decorated clock when the passing of time is so serious a matter2 or the gaudy jardinire1 whose coloring killed the green of the plant it held4 ,but we have grown past this4 ,now our light at eventide is shed through a simple1 plain-colored shade of porcelain or of ,japan paper and bamboo 7if one cannot afford the plain or mosaic shades of opalescent glass71 from an oil tank fitted into a bowl of hand-hammered brass or copper1 or of pottery1 of which there are so many beautiful pieces of ,american manufacture in dull greens1 blues1 browns1 grays1 and reds4 ,these lamps are not expensive--no more so than their onyx and brass forbears--and are quiet1 restful1 beneficent in their influence4 ,jardinires we find in the same wares and colorings1 which not only throw the plant into relief but tone in with the other decorations of a room in which nothing stands out distinct from its fellows1 but all things work together for harmony4 ,clocks no longer stare us out of countenance1 but follow1 in brass1 copper1 or rich1 dark woods1 the sturdy simplicity of their ancestor1 the grandfather's clock1 and so become worthy of the place of honor upon the mantel1 where candlesticks1 antique or modern1 in brass or bronze1 also find a congenial resting place4 ,illustration3 ,the drawing-room4 ,,considerations ,,in ,,buying ,there are so many vases1 jugs1 bronzes1 medallions1 jars1 and bowls that one must needs walk steadfastly to avoid buying just for the pleasure of it1 whereas each piece must be chosen with reference to the place it is to occupy and to its associates4 ,any piece of genuine ,japanese art ware1 of which ,cloisonn is perhaps the best known2 old or ancestral china2 objects of historical interest2 different examples of ,american pottery1 among others the ,grueby1 ,van ,briggle1 and ,teco1 with their soft1 dull glazes1 and the ,rookwood with its brilliantly glazed rich1 mellow browns1 its delicately tinted dull ,iris glaze1 and other styles which are being brought out2 ,wedgwood with its cameo-like reliefs2 the rainbow-tinted ,favrile glass2 the ,copenhagen in dull blues and grays--all these embody1 each in its individual way1 the requirements of art bric-a-brac4 ,but the brown ,rookwood will overshadow the ,copenhagen1 and the multicolored ,cloisonn will kill the ,iris1 and so each piece must have a congenial companion if any4 ,and above all1 don't crowd6 ,bric-a-brac needs breathing room1 and individual beauty is lost in the jumbling together of many pieces in a heterogeneous maze of color1 which confuses and wearies the eye4 ,all the fine-art product asks is to be let alone--a small boon to grant to so great worth4 ,tip-overable flower holders defeat their own ends--utility--but there are many which are well balanced and beautiful1 too3 tall1 wide-mouthed cut1 ,bohemian1 or more simple glass for long-stemmed roses1 carnations1 or daisies2 brown ,van ,briggle1 ,grueby1 or ,rookwood bowls for nasturtiums1 golden rod1 and black-eyed ,susans2 green for hollyhocks1 dull red for dahlias1 gladioli1 etc41 flowers and receptacles thus forming a true color symphony4 ,parian and ,carrara marble1 immortally beautiful1 we can but gaze at from afar1 but masterpieces of the sculptor's chisel are ours at small cost in ivory-tinted plaster reproductions of the ,venus de ,milo1 the ,winged ,victory1 busts and medallions of famous personages1 etc41 which may with truth be called art for art's sake4 ,dining-room bric-a-brac generally consists of whatever occupies the plate rail--an interesting array of plates1 pitchers1 bowls1 jars1 cups and saucers1 steins1 cider mugs1 and tankards4 ,and here our cherished ancestral china finds a safe haven from which it surveys its young1 modern descendants with benignant toleration4 ,,books ,a spirit of friendliness and companionship radiates from a good book--a geniality to be not only felt1 but cultivated and enjoyed4 ,the friendship of man is sometimes short-lived and evanescent1 but the friendship of books abideth ever4 ,paraphrasing ,thanatopsis3 ,for our gayer hours ,they have a voice of gladness1 and a smile ,and eloquence of beauty1 and they glide ,into our darker musings1 with a mild ,and healing sympathy1 that steals away ,their sharpness1 ere we are aware4 ,truly1 a book for every mood1 and a mood for every book1 ,,their ,,selection ,the true measure of a book is not ,how well does it entertain1 but ,how much help does it give in the daily struggle to overcome the bad with the good1 and as one makes friends with muscle-giving authors the fancy for light-minded acquaintances among books gradually wears away4 ,although different tastes require special gratification in certain directions1 yet some few books must have place in every well-balanced library4 ,first always1 the ,bible1 with concordance complete for study purposes1 a set of ,shakespeare in small1 easily handled volumes1 a set of encyclopaedias1 and a standard dictionary4 ,then some of the best known poets--,milton1 ,spenser1 ,pope1 ,goldsmith1 ,burns1 ,wordsworth1 ,keats1 ,shelley1 the ,brownings1 ,byron1 ,homer1 ,dante1 etc41 with ,longfellow1 ,riley1 and some others of our best-loved ,american poets--for though we may not care for poetry we cannot afford to deny ourselves its elevating influence2 standard histories of our own and other countries2 familiar letters of great men which also mirror their times--,horace ,walpole1 ,lord ,macaulay1 etc42 essays of ,bacon1 ,addison1 ,de,quincey1 ,lamb1 ,irving1 ,emerson1 ,lowell1 and ,holmes2 and certain works of fiction which have stood the test of time and criticism1 with ,dickens and ,thackeray heading the list4 ,indulgence in all the so-called popular novels of the day1 like any other dissipation1 profits nothing1 and vitiates one's taste for good literature at the same time4 ,therefore1 hold fast that which is known to be good in novels1 with here and there just a little spice of recent fiction2 for man cannot live by spice alone1 which causes a sort of mental dyspepsia which is very hard to overcome4 ,,sets ,an appetite for complete sets is a perverted one which usually goes with a love for the shell of the book rather than its meat4 ,it is better far to prune out the obscure works and buy1 a few at a time if necessary1 the best known works of favorite authors1 than to clutter up one's bookshelves with volumes which will never be opened4 ,partial sets acquired in this way can be of uniform edition and gain in value from those which are left in the shop4 ,,binding ,books1 like our other friends1 have an added attraction if tastily clothed4 ,good cloth bindings1 not too ornate or strong in color1 are substantial and usually best for the home library4 ,real leather bindings of morocco or pigskin are rich and suggestive of good food within1 but imitation leather must join other domestic outcasts4 ,though it may look well at first it soon shows its quality of shabby-genteel4 ,calf has deteriorated because of the modern quick method of tanning by the use of acids1 which dries the skin and causes it to crack4 ,books in party attire of white paper and parchment and very delicate colors are not good comrades1 for the paper cover which must be put on to protect the binding is a nuisance1 while without it touch me not seems to be written all over the book4 ,our best book friends are not of this kind1 but permit us to be on terms of friendly intimacy with them1 receiving as their reward all due meed of courteous treatment4 ,there can be no true reverence for books in the heart of the vandal who leaves marks of disrespectful soiled fingers on their pages1 turns down their leaves1 and breaks their backs by laying them open1 face down4 ,,paper ,their paper should be of a good quality1 not too heavy1 and the type clear1 both of which conditions usually obtain in an average-priced book4 ,their housing has much to do with their preservation4 ,dampness is1 perhaps1 their deadliest enemy1 not only rotting and loosening the covers1 but mildewing the leaves and taking out the size which gives them body4 ,an outside wall is always more or less damp1 and for this reason the bookcase must stand out from it at least a foot1 if it stands there at all1 and preferably at right angles to it4 ,dust is also an insidious enemy1 from which1 in very sooty1 dirty localities1 glass doors afford the best protection4 ,these must be left open occasionally to ventilate the case1 for books must have air and light to keep them fresh and sweet and free from dampness1 but not sun to fade their covers4 ,intense artificial heat also affects them badly1 wherefore1 the upper part of the room being the hotter1 cases should never be more than eight feet high1 the use of window seat and other low cases having very decided advantages1 apart from their decorative value4 ,whatever the design of the case--and1 of course1 it must harmonize with the other wood of the room--its shelves must be easily adjustable to books of different heights1 standing in compact rows and not half opened to become permanently warped and spoiled4 ,varnished or painted shelves grow sticky with heat and form a strong attachment for their contents4 ,the bookcase curtain is useful more as a protection against dust than as an art adjunct1 for there is nothing more delightful to the cultivated eye than the brave front presented by even1 symmetrical rows of well-bound volumes1 so suggestive of hours of profitable companionship4 ,all the books must be taken down frequently and first beaten separately1 then in pairs1 and dusted1 top and covers1 with a soft brush or a small feather duster4 ,the true ,university of these days is a ,collection of ,books1 and one's education cannot begin too early4 ,,pictures ,so many homes combining taste and elegance and refinement in their furnishing1 still impress one with the feeling that somewhere within the lute there is a rift which destroys its perfect harmony1 and that rift is not far to seek--it lies in the pictures4 ,cheap chromos1 lithographs1 and woodcuts have small excuse for being in these days of fine reproductions in photographs1 photogravures1 and engravings1 and their presence in a home indicates not only a lopsided development of the artistic sense1 but an indifference to that beauty of which art is but one of the expressions4 ,happy1 indeed1 is the homemaker in realizing the necessity and privilege of growing up to the works of artists who have seen beauty where she would have been blind1 and felt to a depth which she has not known2 for in that realization lies the promise of ability to rise to the point where she will at last be able to feel as the artist felt when he wrought4 ,,art ,,sense ,mrs4 ,lofty1 who never has to stop to count the cost1 loses the valuable art education which our housewife all unconsciously acquires in the months which necessarily pass between her picture purchases--months in which she has time to discover new beauties1 fresh interest1 deeper meaning1 in those she already has4 ,all these new impressions she carries with her to the selection of her next treasure1 and the result will probably be a choice of greater artistic merit than she would have been capable of making before4 ,so long as there is something in a picture which impresses her1 the fact that she does not fully understand its underlying meaning need be no obstacle to its purchase2 the light of comprehension will come4 ,,the ,,influence ,,of ,,pictures ,the picturing of the home should be undertaken in no light humor1 for better no pictures at all than poor ones4 ,little1 trivial1 meaningless nothings are like small talk--uninspiring and devitalizing--and therefore unprofitable2 battle and other exciting scenes wear on the nerves2 the constant presence of many persons is tiring in pictures as well as out2 small figures and fine detail which cannot be distinguished across the room cause visual cramp2 and the rearing horse which keeps one longing for the rockers cannot be called reposeful4 ,any picture in which one seeks in vain the rest and peace and quietude and inspiration which the home harmony demands1 is but a travesty of art--domestically speaking4 ,there is probably nothing more rest-giving than the marine view1 and next come the pretty pastoral and cool woodland scenes1 while madonnas and other pictures of religious significance express their own worth--just a few choice1 well-selected photographs1 etchings1 and engravings of agreeable subjects1 with a painting or two2 that's all we want4 ,,oil ,,paintings ,really fine oils are costly1 and no house can stand more than one or two at most1 because of the impossibility of giving them the correct lighting and the distance they require1 without which their best effect is lost4 ,properly1 an oil painting should be given a wall or even a whole room to itself1 as water colors and colored prints seem colorless1 and black-and-whites cold1 by comparison4 ,the deep gold frame is its best setting4 ,gold frames and mats are usually effective on colored pictures of any kind in bringing out certain colors1 dark ones especially1 though artists are growing to use wood frames filled to harmonize with and throw into relief some one tone in the picture1 the mat taking the same color4 ,gilt has no place on photographs1 etchings1 or engravings1 their simple1 flat frames of oak1 birch1 sycamore1 etc41 with their mats1 if mats are used1 toning with the gray1 brown1 or black of the picture4 ,fantastically carved and decorated frames are things of the past1 both frame and mat being now essentially a part of the picture and blending with it1 while setting it off to the best advantage4 ,passepartout is an inexpensive substitute for framing1 particularly of small pictures1 and is effectively employed with a properly colored mat and binding4 ,white mats are still in occasional use for water colors and for black-and-whites1 but for photographs we find a more grateful warmth in following the tone of the picture4 ,,engravings ,,and ,,photographs ,engravings and photogravures most satisfactorily reproduce paintings1 as hand work always has more life than the photographic copy4 ,all reproductions1 however1 bring the works of world-famous artists within our reach1 and enable us to be on intimate terms with the animals of ,rosa ,bonheur1 the peasants of ,millet1 the portraits of ,rembrandt1 ,rubens1 ,van ,dyck1 ,sargent1 and ,gainsborough1 the landscapes of ,corot1 ,daubigny1 ,dupre1 and ,turner1 and the madonnas of ,raphael1 ,botticelli1 ,bodenhauser1 and ,correggio4 ,amateur photography1 with its soft pastel effects in black1 green1 white1 red1 and gray1 is making rapid strides and doing much to advance the cause of art in the home4 ,the hand-colored photograph is acceptable if the coloring is true and rightly applied1 while certain charming colored ,french prints1 so like water colors as to be hardly distinguishable from them1 have distinct worth4 ,then there are the reproductions of our present-day illustrators1 in both black-and-white and colors1 and in which we seem to have a personal interest4 ,originals are always costly and hard to get1 the exception being the obscure but worthy artist whose fame and fortune are yet to be won4 ,the carved ,florentine frame is a valuable setting for certain colored heads or painted medallions4 ,,suitability ,,of ,,subjects ,although any good picture may be hung with propriety in almost any of the first-floor rooms1 heads of authors and pictures having historic and literary significance seem especially suggestive of the library2 musicians and musical subjects of the music room1 or wherever one's musical instruments may be2 dignified subjects1 such as cathedrals1 with the game and animal pictures which used to hang in the dining room1 of the hall2 while we now picture our dining room with pretty landscapes or anything else cheery and attractive4 ,family portraits1 if we must have them1 hang better in one's own room1 but really their room is better than their company1 as a rule4 ,,hanging ,,of ,,pictures ,as to hanging pictures1 the main thing is to have them on a level with the eye1 and each subject in a good light--dark for light parts of the room1 light for dark4 ,small pictures are most effective in groups1 hung somewhat irregularly and compactly4 ,all pictures lie close to the wall1 suspended by either gilt or silvered wire1 whichever tones best with the wall decoration4 ,the use of two separate wires1 each attached to its own hook1 is preferable to the one wire1 whose triangular effect is inharmonious with the horizontal and vertical lines of the room4 ,small pictures are best hung with their wires invisible1 thus avoiding a network on the walls4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,the ,,nice ,,machinery ,,of ,,housekeeping ,solomon ,grundy1 ,born on ,monday1 ,christened on ,tuesday1 ,married on ,wednesday1 ,took ill on ,thursday1 ,worse on ,friday1 ,died on ,saturday1 ,buried on ,sunday4 ,that's the end of ,solomon ,grundy4 ,this little tale serves to show how it simplifies life to have a time for everything and everything in its time4 ,system was probably a habit in the ,grundy family1 and was so bred in ,solomon's bones that it never occurred to him that he could reverse the order observed by the ,grundys for generations back and be married on ,thursday1 for instance4 ,and yet there is room for conjecture as to how much difference it might have made in his life if he had elected to contract an alliance on that day instead of a fatal illness4 ,system is a fine servant but a poor master4 ,simply because custom has decreed that ,monday shall be wash day1 ,tuesday ironing day1 and so on1 it does not necessarily follow that this programme must be strictly adhered to in every family1 or that the schedule of the week's work1 once made out1 cannot be changed to meet the unexpected exigencies which are apt to arise4 ,to be sure1 ,monday as wash day has many points in its favor2 but if it must be postponed until ,tuesday1 or the clothes have not dried well and the ironing has to go over into ,wednesday1 there is no reason why the whole domestic harmony should become like sweet bells jangled1 out of tune and harsh4 ,although order is heaven's first law1 it occasionally happens that it is better to break the law than to be broken by it4 ,and so1 when the young housekeeper's nicely arranged plans for each day in the week are suddenly turned topsy-turvy1 let her take heart of grace1 remembering that there are whole days that ain't teched yet1 and begin again4 ,,monday ,the chief objection to washing on ,monday is that it necessitates sorting and putting the soiled linen to soak on ,sunday1 which not only violates the religious principles of many households1 but shortens and spoils the flavor of the maid's free ,sabbath evening4 ,then1 too1 the sorting of the linen often reveals holes and rents which should properly be repaired before laundering increases the damage1 and a ,tuesday washing makes this possible1 with the straightening out and readjustment generally necessary after ,sunday4 ,on the other hand1 the longer the linen remains unlaundered the more difficult it is to cleanse1 with the risk that good drying days may tarry and the ironing thus linger along till the end of the week1 which is inconvenient and bothersome all round4 ,therefore it seems quite advisable for ,mrs4 ,grundy to wash on ,monday1 and an occasional postponement until ,tuesday will not then be a matter of any great moment4 ,the routine work of every day--the airing1 brushing up1 and dusting of the rooms1 the preparation and serving of meals at their regular hours1 the chamber work1 dish-washing1 in short1 all the have-to-be-dones1 must not1 and need not1 be interfered with by the special work which belongs to each day4 ,there are hours enough for both1 and rest time1 too1 unless the housekeeper or maid be cut after the pattern of ,chaucer's ,sergeant of the ,law3 ,nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas1 ,and yet he semed bisier than he was4 ,wash day is always somewhat of an ordeal1 and a long pull1 a strong pull1 and a pull all together is necessary to carry it successfully through4 ,a simple breakfast will give the maid an opportunity to sort and put the clothes to soak1 if this was not done the night previous1 heat water for the washing1 and perhaps prepare vegetables for the day's meals1 before breakfast is served2 and if her mistress lends a helping hand with the dishes1 dusting1 or other regular work of the day1 she can go to her tubs just that much earlier4 ,getting up in the wee sma' hours and working by early candle light is misdirected ambition4 ,the maid needs her rest to fit her for her day's labors1 and washing well done requires the light of day4 ,set the breakfast hour ahead half an hour and so gain a little extra time4 ,foresight and extra planning on ,saturday will provide certain left-overs from ,sunday's meals which can be quickly and easily transformed into ,monday's luncheon4 ,dinner1 too1 should be a simple meal1 but don't add to the other trials of the day cold comfort at meal time4 ,a smoking-hot dinner has a certain heartening influence to which we are all more or less susceptible4 ,the doors leading from the room in which the washing is done must be kept closed to exclude the steamy odor from the rest of the house1 and the maid allowed to proceed with her work without interruption4 ,by eleven o'clock she will probably have reached a point where she can stop to prepare luncheon4 ,if the family is very small1 she can frequently do not only the washing but considerable of the ironing as well on ,monday1 but that is crowding things a little too much4 ,after the washing is accomplished the line should be drawn at what must be done1 and nothing which is not absolutely necessary put into the few remaining hours of the day1 for the maid's back and arms have had quite enough exercise for the time being4 ,if a laundress is employed1 the cleaning of the kitchen floor and the laundry and the ironing should be about accomplished by night1 unless it seems best to have her clean and do other extra work after the washing is finished4 ,if the housewife is her own laundress1 she must acquire the gentle art of letting things go on the hard days1 for she cannot possibly be laundress1 maid1 and house-mother all in one1 and her health and well-being are of prime importance4 ,,tuesday ,the washing being done on ,monday1 it naturally follows that ,mrs4 ,grundy irons on ,tuesday1 after the regular routine work has been dispatched4 ,the first thought is the fire1 if the ironing is done by a coal range4 ,after breakfast is prepared the fire box should be filled with coal to the top of the lining1 and draughts opened1 to be closed as soon as the surface coal begins to burn red1 the top of the stove brushed off1 and the irons set on to heat4 ,this is a good place to sandwich in a little baking1 before the fire becomes too hot for cakes or delicate pastry4 ,if the maid feels that she must devote this time to the preparation of vegetables1 or to other work which is liable to interfere with her work later on1 madam may choose to step into the breach and try her hand at sundry delectables for the ironing-day luncheon or dinner1 both meals being as simple as consistent with comfort and health4 ,the ironing1 once commenced1 should continue uninterruptedly until time to prepare luncheon1 when the irons are pushed back and the fire shaken or raked and replenished4 ,by this time the clothes bars should begin to take on a comfortable look of fullness4 ,it is well to keep them covered with cheesecloth as a protection from dust and soot and1 in summer1 fly specks4 ,if any frying is to be done1 set the bars in another room until it is over and the kitchen thoroughly aired1 otherwise the odor will cling to the clothes4 ,after luncheon the range is cleaned and the irons drawn forward to heat for the afternoon session2 and by the time the table is cleared1 dishes washed1 and kitchen brushed up1 both they and the maid are ready for the renewed onslaught4 ,though it may occasionally run over into the next day1 the average ironing ought to be completed during the afternoon and remain well spread out on the bars overnight to dry and air4 ,tuesday1 though a full day1 is so clean and neat that there is no reason why the maid should not keep herself equally so and be ready to serve the table and attend the door without further preparation than slipping on her white apron--and cap1 if she wears one4 ,,wednesday ,on ,wednesday ,mrs4 ,grundy mends and puts away the clean clothes and picks up some of the household stitches which had to be dropped on the two preceding days4 ,the kitchen must be put in order1 the refrigerator must have its semiweekly cleaning1 and the ashes which have accumulated in the stove removed1 a new fire built1 and the hearth washed4 ,while the oven is heating for the mid-week baking there are vestibules and porches to wash1 walks to sweep1 the cellar to investigate1 and a dozen little odds and ends to attend to which1 with the baking1 make a busy morning4 ,the cleaning of silver dovetails nicely with the ,wednesday work1 and during the canning season the preserving of fruit can be done at this time with the least interference with the other work of the house1 though when it becomes a case of the fruit being ripe1 other work must give way for the nonce4 ,in short1 ,wednesday is the general weekly catch-all into which go all the odd jobs for which room cannot be found elsewhere4 ,,thursday ,it is ,mrs4 ,grundy's theory1 strengthened by practical experience1 that it is better to extend the weekly sweeping and cleaning over two days than to condense it all into one2 and so ,phyllis takes the bedroom cleaning as her special ,thursday work1 and armed with broom1 dustpan1 pail1 and cleaning cloths1 she ascends to the upper regions as soon as she has reduced the lower to their everyday nicety4 ,the daily brushing up with broom or carpet sweeper removes the surface dirt1 but sweeping day means a good digging out4 ,she commences operations by sweeping out the closet and wiping off the floor with a cloth wrung out of hot borax water4 ,then she brushes down1 rolls or folds all curtains and draperies1 and fastens them up as near the pole as possible1 perhaps slipping a case over each as a protection from the dust4 ,if the bed is hung with a valance1 that1 too1 is pinned up4 ,all small toilet articles and knicknacks are dusted and placed on the bed1 and covered with a dust sheet of coarse unbleached muslin1 or calico2 bowl1 pitcher1 and other crockery are washed and dried1 inside and out1 and placed in the closet1 with dresser and stand covers1 which have been shaken out of the window4 ,these1 if soiled1 are relegated to the clothes hamper1 to be replaced by fresh ones4 ,chairs and easily moved articles of furniture are dusted and set outside of the room4 ,if there is a fire the ashes are carefully removed and brushed from the stove2 the windows are opened unless there is a strong wind1 when they are opened a little after the cleaning is done1 and the sweeping begins4 ,the broom should be of about medium weight1 held almost perpendicularly and passed over the carpet with a long1 light stroke and steady pressure which will not scatter the dirt1 and turned every few strokes that both sides may receive equal wear4 ,steps can be saved by sweeping to a central point1 going with the nap of the carpet1 never against it1 taking special care to dislodge the dust which gathers between the edges of the carpet and the baseboard4 ,shreds of dampened paper1 or damp bran scattered over the carpet facilitate its cleaning2 or in lieu of these the broom may be wet and shaken as free from water as possible before using4 ,any method of keeping down the dust saves much cleaning of woodwork1 walls1 and pictures4 ,rugs are swept in the same way as carpets4 ,after they are cleaned the edges are turned up and the bare floor gone over with a long-handled hair brush1 or with a broom covered with a ,canton-flannel bag4 ,if the floor is painted1 follow the duster with a damp cloth2 if hardwood1 rub well with a flannel slightly moistened with crude oil and turpentine4 ,small rugs are taken out of doors and shaken or beaten4 ,they must be held by the sides1 never by the ends4 ,matting should be swept with a soft broom and wiped over with a damp cloth1 using as little water as possible1 and no soap1 which stains and discolors it4 ,rubbing with a cloth wrung out of hot water will usually take out the spots which the regular cleaning has failed to remove1 while grease spots yield to the application of a thin paste of fuller's earth left for three days and then brushed off4 ,rooms not in daily use do not need a thorough sweeping oftener than every two weeks1 a whisk broom and carpet sweeper sufficing between times4 ,while the dust is settling put a fresh bag or a clean1 soft duster on the broom and brush off ceiling and walls1 using a straight downward stroke for the latter4 ,the cloth must be renewed when it becomes soiled4 ,a long-handled feather duster is handy for cleaning moldings and cornices4 ,this1 by the way1 is the only legitimate use to which a feather duster can be put1 in addition to dusting books and the backs and wires of pictures4 ,instead of taking up the dust1 it simply sets it free to settle elsewhere1 making a lingering trouble1 long drawn out2 for though one may whisk around with it and then enjoy the conscious virtue which comes with having one more thing out of the way1 the complacency is short-lived and the cheesecloth duster finally has to come to the rescue4 ,all dusters should be hemmed1 otherwise the ravelings are apt to catch and pull down the bric-a-brac4 ,after the walls ,phyllis dusts the woodwork and goes over it with a clean1 damp cloth1 not omitting doorknobs1 and looking out for finger marks in likely places4 ,if these are stubborn1 a little kerosene in the cleaning water will help on the good work4 ,she brushes and wipes off the window casings and gas fixtures1 dusts and replaces the furniture1 polishes the mirrors1 and washes the windows the last thing1 provided the sun is not shining on them at this time4 ,if so1 the work will have to be deferred and slipped in with special work of some other time4 ,in localities where there is little smoke the weekly washing may be dispensed with1 dusting off each pane with a soft cloth being all that is necessary4 ,in freezing weather this is the only cleaning possible1 though if the glass is much soiled it can be gone over with a sponge wet with alcohol2 or with whiting mixed with diluted alcohol or ammonia1 followed by much the same rubbing process employed in cleaning silver1 with a final polishing with soft paper1 tissue preferably1 which gives the finest possible shine to any vitreous surface4 ,if there are inside or outside blinds1 they must be well brushed1 and casings and sills which are much soiled washed1 before the glass is cleaned4 ,the requirements for successful window cleaning are a third of a pail of hot water containing a little ammonia or borax1 plenty of clean1 soft cloths free from lint1 a complete absence of soap1 and a decided presence of energy--aye1 there's the rub6 ,the less water used the better4 ,instead of allowing it to run down in tears1 squeeze the cloth out nearly dry1 going quickly over one pane at a time1 following immediately with a dry cloth1 and then polishing4 ,wrap the cleaning cloth around a skewer and go into the corners and around the edges of the glass4 ,nothing is more productive of distorted vision than looking through a glass darkly4 ,wherefore1 for the sake of the mental as well as the physical eye1 see that ,phyllis's window cleaning is a success4 ,after the bedrooms are in order the halls and passages on the same floor1 and the bathroom1 are swept and cleaned4 ,,friday ,on ,friday ,mrs4 ,grundy's living rooms and first-floor halls are treated to their weekly renovation1 which is similar to that which the bedrooms receive1 only there is more of it4 ,the preparation of the drawing-room for sweeping is more elaborate1 containing1 as it does1 more pieces of furniture and bric-a-brac to be cared for4 ,all movable pieces are dusted and taken from the room4 ,upholstered furniture must be well brushed1 going down into the tufts and puffs with a pointed brush similar to that used by painters1 and pieces which are too large to move covered with a dust sheet4 ,a vigorous brushing with a whisk broom will be necessary around the edges of the carpet1 in the corners1 and under the heavy furniture4 ,mirrors must be polished1 glasses1 frames1 backs1 and wires of pictures wiped off1 and fancy carving which the duster will not reach cleaned out with a soft brush4 ,if the room contains a marble mantel1 it can be cleaned with sapolio or almost any good scouring powder1 and tiles washed with soap and water4 ,the fireplace should be cleaned out before the sweeping is done1 and the hearth brushed1 with a bath afterwards4 ,brass trimmings and utensils in use about the grate can be easily kept clean by rubbing first with kerosene and then with red pomade2 but if neglected and allowed to become tarnished1 it is somewhat of an undertaking to restore them to their pristine brightness4 ,in an extreme case rub with vinegar and salt1 wash off quickly1 and follow with some good polish4 ,results obtained in this way are not lasting1 and the vinegar and salt should be resorted to only after other well-tried means have failed4 ,another home cure for tarnished brass and other metals is a mixture of whiting1 four pounds2 cream of tartar1 one quarter pound2 and calcinated magnesia1 three ounces4 ,apply with a damp cloth4 ,the dust will settle while the brasses are being cleaned1 and then the carpet or rug should be brushed over a second time1 lightly1 and may be brightened once a month or so by rubbing1 a small space at a time1 with a stiff scrubbing brush dipped in ammonia water--two tablespoons of ammonia to a gallon of water--and then quickly wiping over with a dry cloth4 ,the chandeliers and gas fixtures should be wiped with a cloth wrung from weak suds1 the globes dusted or washed as required1 and a doubled coarse thread drawn back and forth through the gas tips1 if gas is in use4 ,registers should be wiped out and dusted every sweeping day to prevent the accumulation of dust4 ,all woodwork1 if painted1 is dusted and then wiped down with a damp cloth2 if hardwood1 use the crude oil and turpentine1 going into grooves and corners with a skewer1 and rub hard with a second clean flannel4 ,hardwood floors receive the same treatment after being swept1 and it is a good plan to go over all the furniture in the same way to preserve the life and fine finish of the wood1 but it is imperative that the wood be rubbed absolutely dry4 ,when the windows have been washed1 furniture replaced1 and everything is in apple-pie order in the drawing-room1 each of the remaining rooms is cleaned in like manner1 ending with the hall1 where each stair is brushed with a whisk broom into the dust pan1 and carpet1 walls1 ceiling1 and woodwork attended to as in the other rooms4 ,the dusting cloths and broom bags should go regularly into the weekly wash4 ,it is far better to do one room complete at a time than to have a whole floor torn up at once4 ,just because it is sweeping day is no reason for turning the family into a whole flock of ,noah's doves1 with no place for the soles of their feet4 ,it is very easy to transform black ,friday into good ,friday by a little judicious manipulation of the household helm4 ,the cleaning1 in addition to the routine work1 is about all ,friday can hold1 without crowding4 ,a few anxious thoughts for the morrow's baking will provide all things necessary to it1 so there will be no delay about commencing it2 for-- ,,saturday ,saturday ,mrs4 ,grundy devotes to providing for the wants of the inner man4 ,the heaviest part of the day's work is the preparation of food for two or three days4 ,then the refrigerator must have its second cleaning1 and the pantry1 too1 probably requires renovating by this time4 ,entries must be cleaned1 a second tour of inspection of the cellar made1 and the house put in trim for the day that comes betwixt a ,saturday and ,monday4 ,,house ,,cleaning ,this is not the domestic bugbear it used to be1 when one mighty spasm of cleanliness shook the house from garret to cellar and threw its inmates into a fever of discomfort and dismay4 ,the modern house-cleaning season is one of indolence and ease compared with what it once was1 when not only the cleaning and living problem1 but the man problem as well1 had to be solved2 when the master sighed for a spot in some vast wilderness1 vaguely wondering1 as he dined lunch-counter fashion and then gingerly wound his weary way through a labyrinth of furniture1 boxes1 and rolls of carpet to his humble couch set up behind the piano or in some other unlikely place1 if marriage were a failure1 while contact with the business end of a tack gave point to his thoughts4 ,no1 indeed6 ,the spring and autumn of his discontent are made glorious summer now by the more civilized system which1 beginning at the attic and working downward1 cleans one room1 or perhaps two at a time1 as a day's work1 restoring everything to order before a new attack is made4 ,,preparation ,the task of cleaning a house in which the regular work is systematically carried on is not so very arduous1 and follows the general plan of the weekly cleaning4 ,before the real work begins have a general overhauling and weeding out of cubbies1 boxes1 and trunks1 scrub out drawers and reline with clean paper1 and clean clothespresses1 wardrobes1 and closets4 ,in the spring1 there will be furs and flannels to shake1 brush1 and put away1 and in the fall1 summer clothing4 ,before the spring cleaning the stoves must be taken down and cleaned out1 stovepipes cleaned and rubbed with boiled oil to prevent rust1 and both put away in the attic4 ,chimneys1 too1 must be cleaned1 and if the heating is by furnace1 it should be put in order and all its parts swept free from soot1 covering the registers during the operation4 ,this is better done in the spring so the summer winds cannot scatter the dust and soot through the house4 ,the supply of coal and wood for the ensuing year should be put into the cellar1 and then the preliminaries are over4 ,the fall cleaning must be delayed until the canning and pickling are all done1 and the busy1 curious1 thirsty fly is pretty well extinct4 ,now is the best time for painting1 whitewashing1 papering1 and other decorating and repairing4 ,if done in the spring1 its freshness is bound to be more or less spoiled by insects during the summer1 be as careful as one may4 ,,cleaning ,,draperies1 ,,rugs1 ,,carpets ,the first step in the real cleaning is to take down draperies1 shake well1 hang out on the line1 right side under1 and beat out the dust with a dog- or riding-whip4 ,follow with a hard brushing on the wrong side and wipe down quickly with a damp cloth1 following the nap1 if there is one4 ,lace and muslin curtains are repaired1 if necessary1 and laundered1 or sent to the cleaner4 ,if only slightly soiled1 they can be freshened by folding1 after shaking1 and sprinkling all the folds thickly with magnesia4 ,let this remain three or four days and then brush out thoroughly4 ,next rugs and carpets come out and are well swept on both sides1 then hung on the line and beaten with a flail--one of two feet of rubber hose partially slipped over a round stick and split lengthwise into four parts1 being the best--until no vestige of dust remains4 ,heavy carpets1 ,brussels1 velvets1 ,wiltons1 ,axminsters1 and ,moquettes1 need not be lifted oftener than every two or three years1 unless the presence of moths about bindings1 corners1 or seams is detected1 when they must come up at once4 ,the ravage of moths can be prevented by drawing the tacks occasionally1 turning back the edge of the carpet half a yard or so1 laying a cloth wrung out of hot water on the wrong side1 and pressing with a very hot iron1 holding the iron on until the cloth is dry and then moving on until all the edges are thoroughly steamed and dried4 ,this will not injure the carpet and kills the eggs and larvae4 ,follow this up by washing the floor with hot borax water1 dry thoroughly1 sprinkle with black pepper1 and retack the carpet4 ,sometimes small pieces of cotton batting dipped in turpentine and slipped under the edges of the carpet will keep the moths away4 ,if there are cracks at the juncture of baseboard and floor1 pour in benzine and fill with plaster of ,paris4 ,three-ply or ingrain carpets can be steamed and ironed without removing the tacks4 ,,cleaning ,,mattings ,,and ,,woodwork ,mattings must be lifted1 shaken1 swept1 wiped off with a cloth dampened in borax water1 and left on the lawn to sun4 ,no soap should be used on linoleum1 and but little water4 ,clean by rubbing with a damp cloth till no soil comes off1 and polish with a very little linseed oil4 ,all upholstered furniture should be taken out1 covered with a cloth1 and thoroughly beaten with a rattan1 shaking the cloth as it becomes dusty4 ,before rugs and carpets go down1 walls1 woodwork1 and floors are cleaned4 ,walls1 if painted1 are washed with hot water containing a little kerosene1 a square yard at a time1 which is dried before moving on to the next area4 ,rubbing down with the inside of the crust of bread a day old will clean papered walls4 ,painted woodwork is best cleaned with whiting mixed to a thick cream with cold water1 rubbed on with a cloth wrung out of hot water1 following the grain of the wood4 ,wash off the whiting with a second cloth1 rub dry1 and polish with flannel4 ,painted walls may also be treated in this way1 beginning at the top and working down4 ,if soap is preferred1 use the suds1 rubbing the soap itself only on very much soiled spots4 ,kerosene in the water obviates the necessity for soap4 ,enameled paint requires only a cloth wrung out of hot water1 followed by a rubbing with a dry cloth4 ,avoid using water on hardwood1 boiled oil or turpentine and oil being best for woodwork and floors4 ,now is the time to scrub floors1 if pine1 with hot borax suds1 and to rewax or varnish hardwood floors if they require it4 ,,cleaning ,,beds ,beds come to pieces and go out of doors1 where the slats are washed with carbolic-acid water1 and springs and woodwork thoroughly brushed and sprinkled with corrosive sublimate and alcohol1 if traces of bugs are found4 ,if the beds are enameled1 they are washed entire1 with the exception of the brass trimmings1 with hot water and ammonia1 and wiped dry4 ,bedclothes1 mattresses1 and pillows are hung out and sunned1 mattresses and pillows both beaten1 and the former carefully brushed1 going into each tuft and crevice4 ,shades which have become soiled at the bottom can be reversed4 ,house cleaning is not an unmixed joy1 but if done systematically1 one room at a time1 it is soon accomplished and becomes a part of that biography which all housekeeping is at last--a biography which should be written in characters of gold1 its pages richly illumined with crosses1 and palms1 and laurels1 and at its end a jeweled crown bearing the inscription3 ,she hath done what she couldn't6 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,hired ,,help ,the difficulty of dealing with the subject of hired help is about as great as the dealing with the help herself1 who is so often not a help at all4 ,the appellation is the one insisted upon by the great unorganized union of the household tramp1 whose pride cannot endure the stigma implied in the name servant1 and who has never learned that we1 in all walks of life1 are more or less servants--servants of ,fame1 or ,ambition1 or ,duty1 or ,country1 or ,business4 ,the maid who gave notice on the spot because she was introduced by the daughter of the house to her mother as your new servant1 seems to be the incarnation of that spirit of independence which is loosening the very foundations of our national structure4 ,england has servants2 ,germany has servants1 but ,america has help4 ,let us then1 like ,agag of old1 walk delicately1 remembering that help1 by any other name1 is even more surrounded by thorns4 ,,the ,,general ,,housemaid ,it is almost impossible to get a competent girl for general housework these days1 and viewed in the light of past experiences with the able but unwilling1 the willing but unable1 the stupid1 the dishonest1 the ignorant servant within our gates1 with the very occasional good genius of the kitchen to leaven the lump of incompetency1 we are sorely tempted to give up the struggle and do our own work1 feeling that the time and strength so consumed are more than compensated for by the peace of mind which comes with the cessation of hostilities4 ,but after a breathing spell we are generally ready for another joust1 and the struggle goes on as of yore4 ,shops and factories have greatly reduced the supply of servants1 and of these so many specialize as cooks1 waitresses1 and nurses that we really have a very small choice when seeking an all-round maid--one who has some knowledge and experience of the different branches of housecraft4 ,and right here we encounter another difficulty3 ways of living and methods of household management are so diverse that a girl might be considered competent by one mistress and entirely the reverse by another4 ,our servants are more or less as we make them1 and it is frequently the case that the mistress herself needs a course of instruction before she is capable of rightly instructing her maid--a course which shall embrace not only housewifery1 but the cultivation of self-command1 patience1 wisdom1 consideration1 and that power which comes only with knowledge4 ,the raw foreigner with whom she often has to deal is so entirely ignorant of life as we know it2 her training in field and peasant's cottage has in no way prepared her for the refined home with its dainty furnishings and food1 and the difficulty of understanding and being understood adds to the perplexities of the slow and undeveloped mind4 ,such a servant is really nothing but a child1 so far as her faculties are concerned1 and should be treated as one until experience and training shall enable her to put away childish things4 ,like most children1 she is an imitator2 let it be our care that we set only a worthy example before her4 ,she is quick to recognize inconsistency or unfairness1 and to seize an opportunity to get the upper hand4 ,try to treat her with a firmness which is not arbitrary1 and a kindness and consideration which are not familiarity4 ,make her feel that she is an entity1 a person of place and importance in making home comfort1 and a good bit of that subtle antagonism which seems to exist between mistress and maid will be gradually smoothed away4 ,don't wonder if she has the blues occasionally2 you have them yourself4 ,don't be worried if she is a trifle slow2 help her to systematize and so shorten her labors4 ,if she cracks and breaks your dishes show her how to handle and care for them1 with a timely word about avoiding undue haste4 ,if she wants to do certain things in her own way1 let her1 provided it is not a bad way1 until you can prove to her that yours is better4 ,you know there are other ways than yours--good ones1 too4 ,study her as you would a refractory engine2 if she runs off the track1 or doesn't run at all1 or has a hotbox or any other creature failing learn the cause and remedy it if you can4 ,she is human1 like yourself1 and young too1 probably1 and needs diversion4 ,don't begrudge it to her when it is of the right kind4 ,like you1 she needs rest occasionally1 between whiles2 make an opportunity for it4 ,she needs good strengthening food2 see that she has it1 and if she prefers plain living and high thinking on bread and tea1 that's her own lookout4 ,she probably will have strong leanings toward the jam closet2 lock the door and keep the key1 and leave no money1 jewelry1 or other valuables carelessly about to tempt her1 perhaps beyond her strength4 ,don't be overnice in your exactions2 if she is even a fairly good cook1 waitress1 and laundress1 you are indeed blessed among women4 ,give judicious praise or kindly criticism where due2 sometimes a warning in time will save nine blunders4 ,while she is under your roof and a member of your family you are in a measure responsible for her welfare1 moral1 spiritual1 and physical1 and are her natural and lawful protector4 ,she may neither need nor want your protection1 but let her feel that it is there1 none the less4 ,,how ,,to ,,select ,a ,,maid ,and now1 how shall we find this person to assist us in making domestic life one grand1 sweet song--we hope6 ,the usual way is to apply to a reputable agency where you will find the better class of girls and be dealt with honestly4 ,an agency of this kind usually keeps on file the references of girls offering themselves for service1 which will give you at least some idea of the qualifications of the maid you may engage4 ,many housekeepers advertise in the daily papers or trades journals1 the advertisement being a concise statement of the location1 whether city or country1 the kind of service expected1 and the wages paid4 ,a third and usually most satisfactory way of obtaining help is through some friend1 who can back her recommendation with a guarantee4 ,having entered your application1 decide upon your plan of action in the interview which will take place when ,dame ,maid presents herself for the mutual inspection--mutual because1 though 'tis not hers to reason why1 she has a perfect right to know what awaits her4 ,this cross-examination is somewhat of an ordeal1 especially to the novice in the servant-hiring business4 ,it is essential for the housekeeper to know just what questions to put to the applicant1 what questions to look for in return1 what to tell her of the household regime and of her individual part in it2 in short1 she must know her ground and then stand on it--it is hardly necessary to add1 with decision and dignity4 ,the applicant's personal appearance tells something of what she is3 if slovenly1 her work would be ditto2 if flashy1 with cheap finery and gew-gaws--well1 she may be honest and reliable1 but she may also make it difficult for you to be mistress in your own house4 ,be a little wary of the middle-aged servant2 if she is really desirable1 she is not apt to be casting about for a position1 and besides1 she is usually sot in her ways4 ,the fact of a girl's looking sullen or morose should not militate against her--she may be only shy or embarrassed4 ,if she is impertinent--maybe her former mistress talked back1 or made too great an equal of her4 ,anyway1 be your own ladylike self and she will probably fall in line4 ,the quiet1 steady-looking girl who evinces a willingness to learn is apt to be a safe investment4 ,,questions ,,and ,,answers ,question her about her housework experience1 her ability to do plain cooking and baking1 make beds1 serve1 wash1 and iron4 ,she cannot possibly be an expert along each of these lines1 perhaps not on one even1 but a general working knowledge of all is very desirable4 ,have a complete understanding with her at the outset regarding her work1 wages1 hours of work and of leisure1 and breakages4 ,don't try to put the best foot forward1 though there is no particular harm in pointing out the special advantages she would enjoy in your home1 but give her a frank and honest statement of what she may expect4 ,if she asks you1 as she no doubt will1 if you have much company1 say so1 if you have1 but add that you will relieve her as much as you can of the extra work entailed4 ,and don't resent her asking about the size of your family1 and about her room1 for she would naturally be interested in both4 ,a complete understanding at every point may save considerable future trouble4 ,the question of a uniform may come up during your talk4 ,some girls absolutely refuse to don anything which looks to them like a badge of servitude2 if this happens1 let it go1 because you know it is not an absolute essential4 ,at the close of the conference ask for references4 ,no mistress is obliged to give a reference to her departing servant1 but if she does so it ought1 in all conscience1 to be an honest one4 ,it is a deplorable fact that many housekeepers1 either in a desire to be magnanimous1 or to avoid a scene or annoyance1 give utterly undeserved recommendations1 thus opening the way for other reigns of terror which a little personal application of do-as-you-would-be-done-by could have prevented4 ,investigate these references1 either in person or by letter2 otherwise you may discover later on that they were forged by the girl herself or by some of her accommodating friends4 ,,agreements ,the term of service is determined by an agreement between mistress and maid4 ,the usual custom is to take the applicant for a week's trial2 if1 at the expiration of that time1 both are satisfied1 the arrangement continues from week to week1 if the payments are weekly4 ,in households in which monthly payments are preferred the maid is hired by the month4 ,the agreement entered into is nothing more nor less than a legal contract1 and not to be lightly violated4 ,when serving by the week the maid is entitled to1 and must also give1 three days' notice2 when by the month a week's notice is required1 or if for any reason her mistress wishes her to leave at once1 she may pay her one week's wages4 ,if the maid leaves suddenly and without giving notice1 in the middle of her term1 she forfeits all claim to wages which have accrued since her last payment4 ,if discharged unjustly and without sufficient cause before the expiration of her term1 she is entitled to her wages in full2 but if discharged without notice because of intoxication1 immorality1 dishonesty1 arrant disobedience1 or permanent incapacity from illness1 she can claim nothing4 ,it is customary with some housekeepers to start the new maid on a comparatively low salary1 with the promise of an increase of perhaps fifty cents per month1 in case she proves herself worthy1 till the maximum is reached4 ,this is often an incentive to good service4 ,,the ,,maid',s ,,leisure ,,time ,her times of leisure vary somewhat1 according to circumstances2 but one week-day afternoon and evening1 and ,sunday afternoon and evening of each week are usually allowed her1 though she may be given only every other ,sunday4 ,if an extra evening can be given her1 all well and good4 ,the maid should be able to count on getting away at a certain hour so she can arrange to meet her friends2 and she must also understand that ten o'clock is to see her in the house1 that hour being as late as any girl ought to be out4 ,in homes which employ two maids equal privileges are granted each1 one assuming the work of the other during her absence4 ,it is a simple matter to arrange for light meals on the cook's day out1 and to minimize the serving when the waitress is to be away4 ,when night dinner is the custom and but one maid employed1 she either goes from ten until four1 leaving her mistress to prepare luncheon1 or else1 if she is away over the dinner hour1 the meals are shifted1 with dinner at noon and tea at night4 ,she leaves on ,sunday immediately after the dinner work is done and does not return to prepare tea4 ,if she prefers to spend her leisure time quietly at home reading or sewing1 she should be encouraged to do so and not be forced to go out in self-defense to escape calls for extra work at that time4 ,the mistress has no claim on her maid's off hours4 ,,dress ,,and ,,personal ,,neatness ,the maid's uniform consists of three print gowns1 with a gingham apron for morning wear1 and for afternoons a white apron with white collar or kerchief and cuffs1 cap1 or whatever additional touches her mistress may prefer4 ,the maid usually buys her own gowns1 while her mistress provides the accessories1 which remain her property when the maid leaves4 ,the afternoon dress of one week becomes the morning dress of the following4 ,black is frequently adopted for afternoon wear1 but whatever the dress1 insist upon its being washable2 woolens absorb odors and perspiration and in time make not only her person but her room offensive4 ,issue an edict against frowzy pompadours and frizzes1 pointing out the necessity for having smooth1 neat hair1 particularly in the kitchen4 ,require her to bathe regularly4 ,the question of allowing the maid to use the bathroom must be settled individually4 ,if she is careful about cleaning the tub and leaving things in good order1 there seems to be no reason why she1 who so needs them1 should be deprived of advantages for cleanliness which the rest of us enjoy4 ,standing on one foot in a slippery washbowl1 footbath1 or even larger tub1 is a poor substitute4 ,instruct her about arranging her clothing at night so it will air4 ,you may even find1 if she is a just-over foreigner1 that you will have to introduce her to the nightdress--such things have happened--explaining to her the undesirability of sleeping in underclothing which she has worn all day4 ,,carelessness ,if a girl is habitually careless about handling the dishes1 and breaks1 nicks1 and cracks result1 hold her responsible and deduct from her wages what you consider a fair equivalent for the loss4 ,such a course is astonishingly curative sometimes4 ,the painstaking1 careful girl seldom injures anything1 and the occasional accident may be overlooked4 ,before your new maid arrives write out an itemized list of all crockery1 silver1 glass1 and table linen which are to be in constant use1 designating those which are defaced in any way1 and go over it with her every week1 holding her responsible for any damaged or missing articles4 ,,the ,,maid',s ,,room ,remove from the servant's room all traces of its last occupant1 and put it in order for the new maid1 with the bed freshly made up with clean blankets1 linen1 and spread4 ,the room should be comfortably furnished with a single enameled bed--the plainer the better and more easily cleaned--an inexpensive dresser and washstand1 the bowl1 pitcher1 etc41 for the latter preferably of the white porcelain enamel ware1 a comfortable high-backed rocker1 and one common cane-seated chair4 ,a pair of plain white muslin or scrim curtains draped back with a band of the same1 and plain white covers on washstand and dresser impart a certain air of dainty hominess4 ,a cheap set of hanging shelves for books and clock would be a welcome addition4 ,walls and floor should be painted1 and a colonial rug placed before the bed4 ,don't give the servant's room the look of a perpetual rummage sale by making it a dumping ground for old defaced pictures1 furniture1 and bric-a-brac4 ,remember that it is her only haven of rest1 and have it restful1 if only for selfish reasons1 for renewed bodily vigor means well-done work and a made-over disposition4 ,when we think of the average servant's room1 small1 stuffy1 poorly ventilated1 hot in summer1 cold in winter1 and unattractive to a degree1 it ought to bring a blush of shame4 ,above all1 see that the bed is comfortable2 for who can blame a tired girl for getting out on the wrong side of a bed so hard and lumpy that it surely must rise and smite her6 ,place on the woven wire spring a good mattress either all cotton1 or of straw with cotton top and bottom4 ,over this spread one of the washable pads which come for the purpose1 then the sheets--unbleached if one prefers--the inexpensive colored blankets1 and a honeycomb spread4 ,one feather pillow of average size will be sufficient4 ,when two servants occupy a room two single beds should be provided4 ,if there is no closet1 make a temporary one by means of a shelf and curtain4 ,an attractive room carries with it a subtle and refining influence4 ,,how ,,to ,,train ,a ,,maid ,set thine house in order1 and have everything--pantry and kitchen in particular--as you expect your maid to keep it4 ,first impressions are truly the most lasting1 and if she comes into a littered1 soiled1 untidy kingdom1 you may expect her reign to be proportionally lax and her respect for your housekeeping abilities conspicuously absent4 ,this is a bad beginning1 and then it is not exactly fair to set her to work the very first thing to bring order from chaos4 ,see that she has all the tools necessary to her work1 replacing broken or useless utensils and assuring yourself that the cutlery and crockery for her individual table use are whole and inviting4 ,show the maid to her room as soon as she arrives1 with instructions to don her working garb2 and then begins the induction into office1 a trying experience to you both1 and one which should be sufficiently prolonged to enable her to get a good grip of each new duty as it presents itself4 ,avoid confusing her at the start with a jumble of instructions1 but make haste slowly1 giving directions in a way which she can understand4 ,introduce her into her workroom1 explain the range and show her how to operate it1 point out the different utensils and their uses and where foods are kept4 ,if she comes in the morning1 her first duty will be the preparation of luncheon2 give her instructions for that meal1 what to have1 and how to set the table1 this being the proper time to go over the list of table furnishings with her4 ,don't embarrass her by being continually at her heels1 but give what directions you think necessary and then let her apply her judgment and previous experience to carrying them out4 ,if you find that she has neither1 don't be discouraged1 for you may be entertaining an angel unawares1 but adopt the line upon line1 precept upon precept plan1 and the situation will slowly but surely brighten4 ,if she is overstupid in one direction1 she may be bright enough in some other to establish a balance4 ,luncheon and its dishes disposed of1 arrange with her about dinner1 and after its completion speak about her hour of rising1 the preparation of breakfast1 etc4 ,and the morning and the evening were the first day6 ,,the ,,daily ,,routine ,the day's routine of work varies in different households and makes it impossible for one to offer an infallible system4 ,the keeping of but one servant does not admit of an elaborate mode of living1 and on the days on which the heaviest work--washing and ironing--falls1 madam would do well to assume considerable of the regular work herself1 the care of bedrooms1 dusting and putting to rights of living and dining rooms1 preparation of lunch1 and whatever else seems best4 ,all of the hardest work should be done in the morning1 before the first freshness of maid and day is worn away4 ,after you have established a satisfactory schedule abide by it and oblige your maid to do the same4 ,it soon becomes automatic and is1 therefore1 accomplished with less exhaustion of mind and body4 ,the regular day's work is about as follows3 ,the maid rises an hour or an hour and a half before the breakfast hour1 throws open her bed and window1 and goes to the kitchen1 where she starts the fire 7if a coal range is used71 fills and puts on the teakettle1 and puts the cereal on to cook4 ,then she airs out dining and living rooms and hall1 brushes up any litter1 wipes off bare floors1 dusts1 closes windows1 opens furnace drafts or looks after stoves1 and1 leaving tidiness in her wake1 sets the table and completes the preparations for breakfast4 ,the amount of work she can accomplish before it is served depends upon herself and upon how elaborate the meal may be4 ,after the main part of the breakfast has been served she may be excused from the dining room1 and takes this time to open bedroom windows and empty slops1 after which she has her own breakfast4 ,when the breakfast table has been cleared1 the dining room set to rights1 food taken care of1 and utensils put to soak1 the mistress inspects pantry and refrigerator1 offers suggestions for the disposal of left-overs1 arranges with the maid for the day's meals1 and makes out the list for grocer and butcher1 adding whatever she thinks best to the list of needed staples already prepared by the maid--tea1 sugar1 soap1 etc4 ,never leave the entire ordering of supplies to the maid1 her part being simply to jot down on a pad hung in the kitchen for that purpose a memorandum of such things as need replenishing4 ,when the conference is ended the maid washes the dishes1 puts kitchen and pantry in order1 fills and cleans lamps1 prepares dishes which require slow cooking1 makes the beds--unless her mistress prefers to do this herself--and tidies up bed- and bathrooms4 ,if the living rooms were not dusted before breakfast1 she attends to it now1 perhaps sweeping front porch and steps1 and is then ready for the extra work of the day1 the cleaning of silver1 washing of windows1 etc4 ,when the after-lunch work is disposed of she will probably have an hour or two to herself before it is time to begin preparations for dinner4 ,she should not be interrupted in her work for this1 that1 or the other1 but allowed to go on with it according to schedule4 ,she usually attends the door except on wash day or during extra stress of work4 ,she will1 perhaps1 object to doing so when her mistress is at home1 and may need instruction about slipping on a clean white apron1 greeting a caller with civility1 presenting a small tray for her card1 etc4 ,initiating her into the mysteries of setting and serving the table may be a long operation1 for the good waitress is usually born1 not made4 ,but don't be too exacting2 remember that she is not a specialist and arrange the flowers and add other nice touches yourself1 and dispense with elaborateness of serving4 ,teach her to economize time by washing dishes between courses when her presence is not required in the dining room1 and insist upon having meals served at stated hours1 being careful that your family respond to the summons to the table with corresponding punctuality4 ,,duties ,,of ,,cook ,,and ,,nurse ,each additional servant complicates the planning of the work4 ,when there are two they are usually cook and waitress1 the former having entire charge of her own special domain1 the kitchen1 with all that pertains to it1 except1 perhaps1 the preparation of salads and the washing of glass1 silver1 and fine dishes4 ,she does the heavier part of the laundry work and some part of the sweeping1 washes windows1 takes charge of cellar and pantry1 or does such other work as her mistress designates1 each duty being plainly specified at the time she is hired4 ,the tasks of the waitress are more varied4 ,the airing1 brushing up1 and dusting of the living rooms falls to her share1 with the entire charge of the dining room1 serving the table1 and washing the dishes1 glass1 and silver4 ,she also has charge of the bedrooms1 a part of her duties in that connection being to prepare them for the night1 removing spreads and shams1 turning down covers1 closing blinds1 and carrying to each room iced water the last thing before retiring1 and hot water the first thing in the morning4 ,she attends the door1 cleans silver1 wipes off woodwork1 and even helps with the mending when the family is small4 ,she usually does her own washing1 and assists with the ironing if her mistress so decree4 ,the division of labor between cook and waitress is sometimes a delicate matter1 and here more than ever is adherence to rule and routine imperative4 ,the tendency for one servant to override the other and more yielding1 must be guarded against4 ,when a nurse is to be hired she should be questioned as to her experience in caring for children1 and her cleanliness1 honesty1 truthfulness1 morals1 and general character carefully investigated4 ,she ought to be fond of children1 and young-hearted enough to enter into their little games and joys and sorrows4 ,no maid whose example is demoralizing to the little ones should have any place in the home4 ,the nurse probably will do the baby's washing1 and may help a little here and there about the house1 but as a rule she has nothing to do with the general work4 ,,servant',s ,,company ,the vexed question of the lady help's gentleman company usually has to be faced by the housekeeper4 ,since yours is your maid's only home it is better to allow her to receive her friends there than for her to seek them elsewhere1 taking it for granted1 of course1 that any girl whom you would be willing to have in your family would have no objectionable friends4 ,and besides1 she is somebody's daughter1 you know4 ,it is to be hoped that the time will come when every maid can be provided with a sitting room of her own1 but until then her friends will have to be received in your kitchen4 ,let her feel that they are welcome out of working hours4 ,a servant of the right kind will appreciate and not abuse this privilege4 ,and so on--and so on6 ,after all is said and done one can only give a few hints and suggestions on the servant question1 with the wistful hope that they may help some one to start right1 for maids may come and maids may go1 but the problem goes marching on4 ,the only way to do when it overtakes one is to grapple with it womanfully1 for it will happen1 even in the best regulated families4 ,,the ,,end