Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-05-09

We are learning in this swiftly speeding
nineteenth century to economic time and
labor, and to consider nothing trivial that
leads to this result Does not the kitchen
where savory dishes are prepared, merit
attention. and does not the housekeeper as
gladly welcome conveniences and improve
ments there as in her dining rooml A
friend, taking me into her kitchen, showed
with pardOnable pride her devices for saw
ing steps. One, so complete and yet so
simple as to merit description, was COM
bination table. 1t consists of large box
the height of an ordinary kitchen table
though somewhat longer. Drawers in front
occupy half the length of the table beneath
the corresponding half being fitted with
shelves, which are covered with a sliding
door. Here are kept the bread and cake
pans, pudding dishes, etc, all within reach
of the workers hand Through the back
part a closet extends the length of the ia.
BILE, with door at either end and here are
arranged the larger tins, and various uten-
sis in graniteware those most in use being
nearest the front In the front and left Of
the table top there is a white marble slab
for pastry purposes Standing in front of
this we find in the top row of drawers the
different grades Of sugar-light brown,
graduated, cut loaf and pulverized The
middle or second row contains fine and SUI
pertine flour, one drawer having a suhdi.
vision for holding rolling pin. wooden
spoons, etc. In the third row we have the
four divisions again, and find graham, com
meal, buckwheat, and coarser grade of flour
On the table stands another box, or set
of drawers, the door of which. instead of
swinging open, slides up exposing a nest
of drawers or pigeon holes, and this is tru-
ly 'multum in parvo" The top drawers
contain fruit, prunes, currants, raisins,
each holding four or five pounds; next row,
sage, chocolate, gelatine, rice, etc. In the
larger compartment there are mixing
bowls, the other has spice box, salt, baking
powder, and here, too, are various cook
books. On the left side of the closet. out
side, is screwed a Keystone egg beaten; on
the right hangs a wooden kneading board.
The table being enclosed as a box on all
sides, there is no chance for mice to get in
to the drawers
One can easily see how much can be
done at this table and how many steps are
saved by having everything, except such
articles as require to be kept in the refrig-
orator, at ones hand, The whole arrange
ment can be home made of cheap wood. or
can be made thing of beauty becoming
in either case 10y forever The draw
ers should be of white pine, poplar, or
white wood top to be of plain, thoroughly
seasoned white pine mot painted or oiled.
one and one-quarter inches thick, to be
made of not more than two pieces of plank
and they to I've doweled together and the
joint firmly glued To a woman who does
her own work, and there are many such, a
contrivance like this is a better assistant
than maid We sometimes wonder that
good hcusekeepers are not always trying
their hands at home made inventions, for
the inventive faculty is strong in the femi
nine nature and only needs good excuse
to be useful in time Of need Bu-ur.