Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-01-14
Small Economics.

Ono of the most discouraging features OF
the problem concerning the poor is their
ignorance of or indifference to small econ
omies, especially in food. 1t is not I'M
common to find that the money given to
add TO the comfort of an invalid has been
spent for dainty of which the whole fam
lily partook. We recall an instance OF n
family, in which there was no illness, that
spurned the offer Of cheap piece Of beef
for soup, and requested beef steak.
The great trouble is that the proper
method OF cooking the cheaper pieces of
meat is understood, neither by the very
poor nor the large class whose expendi-
lures equal and oflen exceed their earn
ings, and who never lay by a cent because
1t costs SO much to live. We oflen see the
wives of artisans who would be reduced to
poverty by a few months or even weeks
loss of employment, buying their dinners.
They do not as rule, purchase the neck
pieces and cheap joints, but steak, chops,
roasts, etc. This is extravagant and I'M
wise, for most appelizing dishes may be
prepared Of the former by proper cooking
and judicious use of vegetables.
There are myriads of families dependent
upon the salary of a clerk or the more
meager pay of the day laborer in which
half as much food is wasted as is eaten.
Pieces of bread which would make good
dipped coast, puddings, dressing or griddle
cakes, are allowed to mould or are thrown
into the swill pail; fragments of meat
wasted instead of being used to make
relishing dish Of mince meat for break fast.
We might go through long list of Illus
trations of neglect or ignorance, but every
careful observer knows the story, and
those who make these mistakes are usual
ly averse to learning more thrifty ways.
To save argues in their opinion a shabby
meanness of which they are ashamed.
Because there is in this country equality
before the law many persons have an "Tm
as good as you" feeling which makes them
reluctant TO practice economy in food and
dress which is uncalled for in the case of
rich men. But the fact Is that there Is of
ten judicious economy practiced by veal
thy people which is unknown in tho fami-
lies ofthe struggling poor.
The times are hard, and Winter, with its
necessary increase of expenses, depresseS
the spirits of many toll worn man and
woman. 1t is we'll TO take a careful survey
ofhousehold matters and see IL retrench-
ment there will not tighten the burdens
without detracting from health or enjoy
ment. We trust that the time is not far
distant when there shall be cooking schools
in which girls who cannot be better taught
at home can learn practically how to select
food and prepare 1t in the most economical
and appetlzing manner. So many OF them
leave their homes in early girlhood to earn
their own support in mills and shops OF
various sorts, which they leave only to
marry, that they really have no oPportunl-
~ to learn any branch OF domestic econo-
my. When they boil their beef so fast and
hard that 1t becomes like petrifaction,
and make muddy coffee and heavy bread,
they are not TO be so much blamed as pitt
led, for they are doing as well as they
know how TO do. Society is to blame for
not demanding that women shall have
some practical knowledge of the duties of
housekeeper before accepting the position
Of one.-PTOVideRee Journal