The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-07-03
Kitchen Conveniences.


One of the most desirable convenien-
ces for farmers kitchen is a well
painted floor, yet there are many that
are never painted, and the Woodworking
mother must spend much time and
strength scrubbing and cleaning and
take much careful thought about her
work that no grease or stain will touch
the floor. Or sometimes, as we have
known mothers to do, she must carry
her creeping baby an hour or two at
time because it could not be put down
while the floor was damp or if the
washing is larger and later than usual,
the floor can not be cleaned, because it
would not dry before the men folks and
children must come in to supper, so the
cleaning must be left till another day,
a thing which all good housekeepers
dislike to do.
Any skillful woman can easily paint
her own kitchen; two quarts of oil,
three pounds ochre and one pint of japan,
will paint a floor twelve by eighteen
feet, and the time and labor thus saved
will be worth many times the cost. We
have just given ours it's annual coating
of paint, and now, no matter what our
work may be, whether butchering,
cheese-making, churning or canning
fruit, in one-quarter the time taken to
clean an implanted floor, we can make
ours as neat as ever, with not trace of
grease or stain, and sooner than it was
cleaned, it will be dry, ready for use.
Another convenience which is not
easy to do without is a good-sized sink,
five or six feet long, two and one-half
wide, finished with board, one foot
wide, at the back, against the wall above
the sink, after the manner of the line
board of floors. At the top of this
board, and resting on it, should be a
shelf for lamps, vases, etc.
Under the sinks should be a place for
iron ware; at the end should be pump,
and if soft water is to be furnished by
cisterns, there shonld be pump at each
end, one for soft and the other for hard
water. If possible, the cook stove
should be at the right of the sink, and
the pantry lat the left. A portable tn
conductor, that can be attached to the
pump, and placed over the kettle, will
save much lifting water. In this way
little boys can easily fill the boiler on
working days.
Next, there should be in every kitch-
en- high-seated chair, five or six inches
higher than common chair. This can
be used in doing many kinds of house
work, and the work can be done Just as
quickly and much easier than when
standing.
These are only few of the most sim
pie conveniences which one may have to
tighten the kitchen work, but they are
the very things that will enable the
mother to do much of the Homework
that she could not otherwise accomplish.
There are many kinds of labor-s saving
machines that can be purchased by those
who have means to do so, and the amount
paid occasionally by some families for in
efficient help would purchase machinery
that would be a lasting benefit, and in
some cases might prevent the necessity
of hiring.
We all enjoy work better when we
have pleasant conveniences to do our
work with. The farmer will be little
more ambitious about getting in his
crops and making his garden when he
has good implements, and, perhaps, new
machinery, that will enable him to per-
form work quickly and successfully.
Tie housekeeper will not find work
drudging when she has a convent
ent, well arranged kitchen, with pleas
ant furnishings for the room. Children
will like to help about the homework if
there are articles to do it with that make
it pleasant for them to learn. We do
not know of any better use of the we'll
earned money of the farmer than to
purchase with 1t that which shall light
en- labor, and make home pleasant, and
save the time and strength and health
of the workers, whether they be men,
women or children. It is a mistaken
idea that anything will do for the kitch-
en- rather let us make this most neces
sary room in our houses neat, cheerful
and attractive. There are many of us
who are toiling in the by-ways of life
who will never know but little of earth
ly pleasure, unless we find it in our
daily cares. Our homes may be very
humble, our rooms few and small, but
if we make the most and best of what
we have to do with, in these homes we
may receive our guests, no matter what
they are, without one word of apology.
Journal of the Farm.