The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-11-19
AGRICULTURAL.
Ironing.


lutely necessary to cleanliness, t is indis-
pensable if one has regard to comfort and
neatness.
Most women can iron passably; but to be
able to do it in the most desirable manner
even the most deXterous and skilful require
long experience.
Mangng answers very well, if done with
care, for sheets, towels and plain pieces, but
lacks the finish and gloss that can be secured
by the use of hot irons skilfully applied. 1t
is the most expeditions, certainly, and is
not so hard on the fabric of our garments;
but unless the articles thus smoothed are
pulled into shape and folded with the great
est care, we. at least, find no pleasure in
them. But the mange cannot he used for
fine or delicate goods, or where there are
plats, gathers or folds.
All qualities of goods, after having been
washed. dried, and if necessary, starched,
must be folded with care preparatory to
ironing, or the work cannot be well done.
Do not roll the things up carelessly, with
the excuse that it takes too much time to be
so particular about it. On the contrary, 1t
is a most essential time-saver Sprinkle lin
Ell or cotton slightly, put the corners to-
gether and pull out evenly into the proper
shape; fold evenly by bringing the selvages
into a true line, fold over straight or in the
same line, roll up very tightly, wrap III
clean towel, and after soaking thus till thor
oughly dampened begin to iron. ANY one
who objects to this process on the score OF
econ9mizing time will see by actual expert
ment how much easier the work is accom-.
plishe1 ON account Of careful preparation by
exact folding.
Amy person Of experience either in doing
the ironing or overseeing it will easily de-
tect imperfection in the " DIRK, and especially
the effects of careless folding, which Will
make many wrinkles and unseemly creases.
and perhaps iron-rIst stains-or what looks
like them. For if a garment, sheet, table
cloth, etc., is badly folded after sprinkling-
the ends uneven, the selvages unmatched
and all askew-no laundress is SO skilful as
to be able to iron it without leaving some III
equality of surface so that there will be
ridges; and as the iron passes rapidly over
the damp surface any rust or scorched
starch on the iron will at once adhere to the
article.
BY the way. that points to another duty of
the housekeeper of which we have before
spoken. When the basket of ironed clothes
is brought up from the laundry, to be sorted
over and examined by the mistress, she
must not be satisfied with simply the exter-
nal appearance. Most laundresses will have
the last fold nicely ironed-unless they have
learned that their employers eyes are not
keen to examine, or that she is $50 easy
that the laundress is expected to sort them
out, and put them away herself The house
keepers business is to be wide awake, at
she puts the various articles in their proper
places. 1t is not infringing upon her time.
1t only calls for close observation just so
notice each piece; see that there are no
dark streaks on collars or wristbands from
lack of thorough washing, no brown or vel
low stains on the seams, to show that the
iron used was not well cleaned. In putting
shirts and undergarments into the drawers
quick careful eye will soon learn if they
are well done throughout, or simply on the
surface. There are but two remedies for
the latter Let the girl see that her mis-
tress well understands the difference be-
tween false and true; and while she kindly
but firmly points out the defects, and states
explicitly the only way that will satisfy her,
quietly return the disigured pieces to be
washed and done up anew Let her try this
way until fully satisfied whether the girl is
ignorant or stubborn. If the latter, the sec
ond course is the only one left; dismiss the
laundress, and search for one who is will
ing, at least to try and do her work proper
ly. A willing hand, guided by kind and
intelligent mistress, will soon master all diff
fculties and make the work easy
In ironing there are several things to be
observed before the work is really begun:
The ironing board or table should be firm
and strong and immovable while ironing.
For that reason it is good idea where there
are stationary wash tubs to have top cover
or lid, made expressly for an ironing board;
or, if one has not this convenience, a table
mortsed or set in the wall in a convenient
part of the room, and with two s,rong, firm
legs to hold the front side, is a great COM
fort. The legs may be made with flat
base so that they can be screwed into the
floor Some provide table with hinges on
one side and legs that can be turned up in
front. so the table can be let down when not
in USE and hang by the wall. But this can
never be firm table, and it is of much i'm
portance when ironing that the latter does
not shake while one is at work.
The arrangements for heating the irons
should, as far as possible, be such that they
can be kept perfectly clean, either in pan
provided expressl for that purpose, or by a
stove to be used expressly for that purpose.
If set on the stove they are in danger of be-
ing soiled by something cooking, or becom
ing rusty from some fluid boiling over on
the stove. 1t is of the greatest importance
that the smoothing iron should be kept per-
fectly smooth, free from rustor burntstarch
A paper or piece of cloth should lie Oh the
table with piece of beeswaX between the
folds. If the starch sticks lit never will if
rightly prepared) rub the iron first on some
wood ashes, or salt, and then quickly over the
wax, rub it on clean cloth, and then, if
not rusted in deeply, it will work smoothly.
In buying sad-iIons be careful and select
three sizes, and all of the smoothest surface.
De size, large and heavy, for coarse gar
ments; one, medium size, for linen and
cotton, and the polishing iron for starched
clothes, rounding at the sides and ends, by
which, after a garment is half ironed with a
common iron, polish can be secured by
very brisk NOV ment, tipping the iron
little on the rounded side.
For the ironing table coarse wooden
blanket is needed, which should be stretched
double thickness on the table, and large
enough to entirely cover it. Then draw the
corners down tight and tack them folded
over the corners of the table. Four tacks
are enough, which can be easily removed if
the table is needed for other purposes. By
thus lacking the corners to the table and
drawing them tight over it plain, smooth
surface is secured, on which to pin cotton
sheet doubled.
A bosom board should be about eight
inches wide, and from seventeen to eighteen
long, and perfectly smooth and level. Gov
er one side of the board with two thicknesses
of flannel, or piece of an old blanket
drawn tightly over the board, and large
enough to be tackled just over the edge Of
cotton of the same size. The other side,
also perfectly smooth, should have but two
thicknesses of strong cotton laid and tackled
over the edge to lap on to the cover of the
other side. This is to be used to put the
last polish to the bosom after it has been
partially ironed. Galvanized ticks with
smooth heads should be used, that there
may be no danger of iron rust or injury to
the linen.
First, iron the shirt all over. wiring a clean
cloth out of clean hot water and rub over
the bosom. Go over the bosom rapidly wit
a clean hot iron then with a plated knife
or thin paper-cutter raise the plaits, and
iron again rapidly. Then rub the bosom
again with damp cloth, turn the bosom
board over, so that the hard surface with
the thin cover will come under the shirt
bosom, and iron with the polishing iron,
expanding as much strength in bearing
down as possible. Rub briskly with the
rounded end of the hot iron back and forth,
ironing only a small strip at a time, till the
whole bosom is of clear polish. The polish
ing irons must be wrapp' up in flannel
or paper, and kept dry and always bright.
1t is difficult to give written directions for
ironing. Practice is the best teacher. Things
that are to be fiat when finished, such as
cuffs and collars should be covered with q