The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-06-23
FOR THE FAIR SEX.
Little Housckeepers.

Among the many ASSOCIATIONS organ
lied in New York for the benefit OF the
poor is one that has for it's object the
promotion of the domestic Industrial
arts among the laboring classes by CIV
ing to the children gratuitous instruc-
ton in all that pertains to the house
wife's duties. This is the New York
Kitchen Garden association, which,
although it was started only four months
ago, has a large membership, and IS
actively interested in the welfare OF
twelve Kitchen garden" classes, mum.
bering more than 600 pupils. One OF
the classes recently formed is composed
of thirty little girls belonging to the
Five Points House of Industry. Ihey
range in age from five to twelve years.
are for the most part naturally brlght'
and some OF them are very pretty. One
| afternoon recently they gave an exhlbl-
ton in the chapel of the Five Points
House of Industry, which was a com
plete illustration of the methods Of the
"Kitchen Garden" system. 80 success
fully introduced by Miss Emily Hum
ington in 1876.
In the center of the chapel floor was
a collection of articles known technl-
cally to the kitchen gardeners rs
cupation materials" Miniature bed
steads, chairs, tables, bureaus, wash
tubs, bedspreads, tablecloths, pots,
kettles, napkins, forks. mattresses,
knives, dishes, plates. pillows, clothes
lines, brcoms, salt cellars, busting
brushes. clothespins, and other things
recognized as essentials in the domestic
economy were piled up on a con venlent
stand. Twelve little girls occupied
seats at a long table. at the head OF
which the teacher stood to direct OPERA
lions. The many industrial arts OF the
housewife were taken up in order, ana
the details of the work not only Illus
trated by the young amateurs, but ex-
planned by them as well.
One of the most interesting features
of the exhibition was the lesson in
washing. At the sound Of a bell the
children rose, marched around the
table to the lively music o. the piano.
and received each her materials, with
which the table was soon covered.
Then the class was questioned as to the
use of tubs. boards, soap, water, and
blueing, and as to how and in what
order each class of wash material
should be handled. Next, accom-
panying their work with a song,
the children unpacked their tubs,
placed their boards, sorted their
clothes. and. with invisible soaE nd
imperceptible water, performed Uhe
usual wash-day duties. Two short poles
were planted at each end Of the table,
and between these q line was deity
stretched to the music of the orchestra.
Then the wash was hung out to dry,
each piece being snugly al ached to the
line with tiny clothes pins, many OF the
little laundresses holding the pins be-
tween their teeth till required for use.
This mode of disposing OF clothes.plns,
although natural to full-grown washer
women, is not taught in the kitchen gar
den manual; yet it does not seem to be
interdicted. The unwet wash having
become thoroughly dry, time was called.
the lines were stripped, the materials
packed, and the labors of wash day
were done.
Next. one member ofthe class showed
how q good girl would receive the
housewives visitors. Another demon.
strated with materials for occupation
No. g." how a sleeping room should be
prepared for occupancy. Another
taught how the morning work OF clean
ing and bed making should be done, the
other members of the class giving thell
views in rhyme to brisk music.