Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-17

Rules Which IL Followed Would Overcome
Much of the Dimculty.

| Rules Which IL Followed Would Overcome
Much of the Dimculty.
To the Editor OF The Evening Star.
| As the weather begins to get warmer the
garbage question comes up sharply to on,
attention. The writer submits suggestions
somewhat in detail which if fairly followed
will sensibly lessen the amount Of garbage and
render easier the task of its collection.
! The disposition of garbage or refuse is one OF
the mos: important in a city, and is a matter
deserving of and demanding not only the care
and attention of the authorities. but also Of the
individual. Each person is interested, and
that directly. in having all refuse speedily and
eficaciously disposed of.
In SO far the resolution Of this question
lies with the individual householder by him it
should be promptly and faithfully assumed
The prompt and distinct destruction Of his
share of the refuse Of city is within the
power of nearly every housekeeper, the excep-
tons being but few.
In the first place the caterer for the family
should See that as little possible that is con-
versed into refuse should be brought into the
house. This tends to minimize the amount Of
refuse to be disposed of. In making pur-
chases the articles should be deprived Of all
matter not essential to their integrity as
articles of household use. Fish should not
only be properly cleaned, but also where they
are not to be used at an ornamental meal they
should be deprived of their heads and tails.
Fowls should be thoroughly drawn and have
their heads and feet removed Surplus BONE
trimmings, &C.. should be cut from meats.
VI vegetables, the tops, such as those of
beets, rsdishes. turnips. &c, should be pulled
off. Outside leaves Of cabbage, lettuce, &C..
should be stripped.
A little care and experience in this rega,d
would soon show a marked decrease in the
amount of refuse in the family cuisine.
Within tine house all liquid refuse, such as
stale coffee and tea. water IN which vegetables,
&C., are washed, and all dish water should be
poured in the sewer, whittier should 60 all
liquids from any semi-solid or soft refuse.
This leaves the disposition of the insoluble
refuse, and this should be burned in the family
cooking stove or range.
One emphatic caution in advance. The IN
soluble refuse must not be allowed to accu-
muiate and then the nauseous mass be dumped
into the fire. This would not only cause it to
emit disagreeable odors, but also dampens the
fire and the zeal Of the housekeeper. When
refuse accumulates it is sure to ferment. And
this fermented mass, soggy, wet and compact
thrown upon the fire will not burn, but will
cake and will cook, throwing off its noisome
odors and dampenlng the fire. But the refuse
as fast as made should be put into the fire
The refuse Is then fresh, firm. loose and in
small Quantities that the fire Is not subdUed.
but readily burns it. OF course. even though
thus put into the fire the experience of the
cook will indicate that some attention is to ne
paid to the state of the fire and the demands
upon it for cooking. If the fire be low or the
oven in use there should be delay until the
conditions are favorable for rapid burning
without any interference with the proper use
Of the stove. But this would only entail a
short delay. Experience would soon show Just
when the refuse should be put into the fire.
Tea leaves from which the liquid has been
drawn may be put upon any kind of fire.
SO may scraps of bread, bones and potato
peelings. Irish potato peelings are excellent
to keep the fire box clear u clinkers and fully re-
pay their burning. For pea huls. Cabbage leaves,
lettuce leaves, corn shucks. pieces Of tomatoes,
and generally any refuse which is very green
or moist, there should be good fire. OF course
il is well to have good fire to burn ny refuse,
AS it consumes quicker and more freely than
low fire.
But it may be urged that it is not every fam
lily that has sufficient fire to burn refuse. and
particularly in summer, when its rapid re-
moval Is most especially desirable. This is I'M
deniably true. Bat such families are very
few. And whatever may be their number IL
those families who have tn, facility for burn
ing the refuse would DO so. it would very ma
terially affect the question of the disposal of
refuse and improve the sanitation Of the city.
An earnest and careful trial o. this plan would
so soon demonstrate lis satisfactory character
tnst housekeepers would very soon gladly pursue
it. But it will take some little persistence and
careful attention by the housekeeper. COOKS
will not at first desire il. They will prefer 10
throw the refuse in the garbage barrel. They
will not be willing to take the trouble and care
of draining the liquid matter from the solid
and putting the latter into the fire, as the latter
is adapted to it. They will complain that 1t
kills the fire." But let the housekeeper persist
in this most cleanly and healthful way OF dis
posing of refuse. Soon the cook herself will
prefer it. She will have clean. sweet-smelling
kitchen and area, and will not bother whether
the garbage man comes or not
In one family in this city for eight years this
method has been adopted, and the cook, who
has been with them five years, would not have
any other way.
OF course there will be some few things which
cannot ne burned, such as watermelon rinds
but such things are so few that they may be re-
moved By the collector. and any slight delay in
that removal would not much affect the ques-
ton of health.
The general rules are these:
!. Bring into the house as little as possible
things which must become refuse.
2. Drain all liquid refuse into the sewer
8. Burn all solid or insoluble matter in the
stove or range.
4. Put into the fire the refuse as it is made
and as the fire is in condition to receive it.
s. Do not let the refuse accumulate and then
burn it. W. HIS.