Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-08-10
FOR THE FAIR SEX.
Iitlls Heusekeepers.


Among the many rs so :iatioLs organ
ized in New York for the benefit OF the
poor Is one that has for its 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 II was started only four months
ago. has a large membership. and Is
actively interested in the welfare Of
twelve kitchen garden" classes. num-
bering more than GOO pupils. One Of
the classes recently formed is composed
of thirty little girls belonging TO the
Five Points House Of Industry. They
range in age from five to twelve years,
are for the most part naturally bright,
and some OF :hem are very pretty. One
afternoon recently they gave an exhibi.
ton i'm the chapel of the Five Points
House If industry. which was COM
plete illustration of the methods OF the
"Kitchen Garden" system, so success.
fully introduced by Miss Emily Hunt
ington in 1876.
In the center Of the chapel floor was
a collection Of articles known techni-
cally TO the kitchen gardeners as "oc-
cupation materials" Miniature bed
steads. chairs. tables. bur, aus. wash
tubs. bedspreads, tsblecloths, pots.
kettles, napkins. forks. mattresses.
knives. dishes, plates. pillows, clothes
lines, brooms, salt cellars, busting
brushes. clo,hespins. and other things
recognized rs essentials In the domestic
,,i1.l N, CpnIpnt
stand. Twelve lite girls occupied
seats at long table. NJ the head Of
which the teacher stood to direct opera
tions. The many industrial arts Of the
housewife were taken up in order, and
the details Of the work not only illus
tratcd by the young amateurs, but ex'
pIaincd by them as well.
One OF the most interesting features
of the exhibition was the lesson in
washing. At the sound Of n bell the
children rose, marched around the
table to the lively music Of the piano,
and received each her materials, with
which the table was soon covered.
Then the class WAS questioned as 10 the
use Of tubs. boards, soap, water, and
blucing, and as to how and in what
order each class OF wash material
should be handled. Next, accom-
panying their work with song,
The children unpacked their tubs,
placed their boards, sorted their
clothes. and. with invisible soap and
impcrceptible water, performed the
usual wash day duties. Two short Dol"e
were planted ut each end o! the table,
and between these line was deity
stretched TO the music of the orchestra
Then the wash was hung out 10 dry,
each piece beirg snugly at,a'hed to the
line with tiny clothes-pins. many of the
little laundresscs holding the pins be-
tween their teeth till required Tor use.
This mode of disposiug OF clothes pins.
although natural 10 full-grown wsher-
women. is rot taught in the kitchen gar
den manual; yet il does not seem to De
inie: dicled. 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 of the class showed
how good girl would receive the
housewives visitors. Another demon
s,rated with materials for " occupation
No. g." how q sleeping room shouIc be
prepared for occupancy. Another
taught how the morning work Of clean
ing and bed making should be done, tie
other members OF the class giving their
views in rhyme 10 brisk music.