The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-03
HOMELY COUNSEL FOR
HOME FOLK
Mrs. MasOn's House Book.

IL dc Il
we are indebted for 1.-The Young
Housewives Counsellor and Friend.
published a few years ago by Mrs.
Mary Mason, of our city, the estimable
author of "a wreath from the woods OF
Carolina" "~Spring-time for Sowing"
and other writings. TIE book $3.50
pages is well named containing as 1t
does, directions in every department of
housekeeping, including the duties OF
wife and mother; )" information never
SO necessary with the Southern people
as in these latter days when the great
question is how to make a satisfactory
s'muckle'' out of a very skinny and I'M
certain ''muckle.'
Every young husband, commencing
householdery, on a small income, would
be wise to place this book on his wife's
work-basket or better still, employ his
dinner-hour leisure in discussing 1t
with her.
We borrow a chapter from Mrs, Ma
sons Introductory Remarks -
yorR oUs AND IT'S SURROUNDINGS.
IF YOU build, take care that your
house is agreeably located if possible,
on a slight eminence, for then you will
enjov the benefit OF fresh air, and avoid
dampness, to say nothing OF the addl-
tional beauty in the prospect.
1t will cost little, if any more, to adopt
a graceful and beautiful style of archi-
lecture than that which is common or
unsightly. Be sure and select the for
mer. Even in a simple cottage this is
important. A pleasant prospect Is al
WAYS desirable, no matter how humbly
circumstanced the dwelling. Shade
trees are beautiful, and of much com
fort and utility but they should not be
too much crowded around your dwell
ling, especially they should never be SO
placed as to subject it to the dripping
from their boughs during rain.
In your courtyard a simple contlnu-
Gus grass-pl,t (bordered, if you choose,
" h flowers, is O. more admin abe and
more in good taste than patchwork
flower beds.
Even your vegetable-earden should
be enlivened with flowers. Place them
i'm borders around every square, taking
care to enrich the soil around them
every fall and spring, trimming them
carefully of their redundant branches;
Let the eve luxuriate in the myriad
hues and varied forms with which a
beautiful Creator has endowed those
lovely creations for the delight OF man.
The writer of these pages was once
walking with her little child by a garden
of flowers, when, with a countenance
radiant with delight, and a voice full OF
the melody of praise, it cried, oh,
mamma how good is God to make all
these lovely flowers for US! Ought we
not to be good and love Him dearly?'
The internal arrangements of your
house should be made with an eye to
convenience as well as beauty.
Be sure and have your dining-room,
pantry, kitchen, laundry, and dairy
communicating; also the chambers,
nursery, dressing-rooms, closets. and
bathroom.
YOUR KITCHEN.
Your kitchen should be near YOUR
house-if not attached to 1t. joined by
q coycred-way otherwise Your servants
will have to pass through ram and nov
ofrentimes. and perhaps thereby con
tract painful if not dangerous maladies.
Kindness and consideration should al
WAYS characterize the mistress of a
Christian family.
Your ~kitchen-yard should be laid out
with neat sand o. gravel-waiks, and
gass-plots. with r~ose-buShes and vines
bv the fences and piazzaS, SO that your
dwelling may be surrounded on all sides
wife these cheering objects. they ele-
waite the soul, especially when they are
differing with morning dew. They will
greatly aid you. too, IN advancing the
civilization as well as the pure religion
Of YOUR domestics. How easily may the
soul be led to ascend in gratitude to the
bountitul Creator, while the eye beholds
these most attractive indications of His
goodness to man! Everything you can
place in the way OF your servants. to
delight and elevate the best impulses of
their nature, will render them better
and wiser, as well as happier.
Your poultry-yard should be at a
convenient distance from your dwelling,
say adjoining your barn-yard. Poultry
of every kind should be banished from
tho Enclosures around your dwelling
house. They always lnjurc your grass
and flowers. besides detaclng the neat
moss and order of your arrangements. 1t
i hest. too, on the score of economy, as
quantity OF grain always failing from
Tho feeding-troughs IF your horses and
nattle would be otherwise lost.
SrsyANTs.-Praise has always a bet
oaect than censule Watch for
,u opportunity to inspire your ser
can with good motives. Trust tn,
.an nan would have them honest. | have