The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-31
Warm Underclothes for Children.

Let no thoughtlessness or negligence
hinder the preparation of warn under
garments, especially for the children.
We used to think that little boys had
much the advantage of little girls, in
having warmer and more equal clothing
over their whole bodies. But the fash
ion of short trousers leaves their legs
below the knees no better protecte!
than those of little girls-unless, indeed,
they are more likely to be provided
with long underdrawers. Many fash
ionably-dressed little boys are not SC
provided for. Through ignorance or
Indifference, their mothers sacrifice
future health and manly beauty to pre-
sent prettiness, and in this unreason-
able and unkind manner, the majority
of l:tIle girls are treated. No n can
tell how much this has to do with the
general ill-health of women. The chill
dren are supposed to be growing
"tough," but it is often the case that
the vitality is too much drawn upon and
the constitution gradually undermined,
80 that many children who seem to be
enduring all things wonderfully, are
really among those who "die in the
toughening," though the death is long
postponed and approaches gradually at
last. Make the undergarments of flannel
or feecy cotton flannel, and let them
cover the body from neck to wrists and
ankles. They may be made all in one
piece, or in two pieces, as preferred.
For young children it is often more o n
venient to have the lower garments
made separate from the upper, and
button to them. But the whole gar
ment is easiest made and managed for
most children, much like the long night
drawers. The legs should gore down to
the ankles inside the stockings by both
an inner and outer seam. The one on
the inside of the leg should be left open
q few inches to lap over smoothly under
the stocking. 1t should always reach
down inside the shoe top. After this
garment has been put on the child, there
comes next a stout waist with buttons
around the bottom, to which are attach
ed the dress drawers whether of white
cotton or of colored AanneD and the
petticoat. The latter may be basted
strongly to the waist for the. reason, If
both are colored, of seldom needing wash
ing. To the side buttons of this waist
(under the arms) are buttoned the stock
ing supporters or carriers, either those,
patented and bought at the shops, or
homemade garters-strips of elastic
tape with button holes in the wide cloth
binding at each end. One end of this
buttons at the waist, the other fastens
on a button upon the side of the stock
ing outside the leg. Then comes the
dress. If all button behind, you can
dress and undress the child very quickly
after the shoes and stockings are taken
off. Unbutton all of the garments be-
hind, and slip them all off together, and
replace the set of day garments by q
we'll aired night gown. We mostly use
soft thick factory cloth (or unbleached
muslin), and I suppose other poor folks
do the same, but flannel for winter is to
be preferred, especially for little ones
apt to get uncovered in bed. During
the night the set of day garments may
be placed 30 as to be we'll aired in the
inside, without separating them, and in
the morning the child can slip them on
all together with ease.-American Agri.
culturist.