The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-02-24
The HOUSEHOLD.
Maria ParlOa on Kitchens and
Pantries,


Mrs. Parloa is giving a series of lee
lures on Domestic Economy " at the
New York Young Women's Christian
Association rooms. At one of these she
said: The subject of kitchens and pan.
tries covers a great deal of ground, and
as ! cannot go into details, will give
you a few general principles. The
kitchen and pantry should be separated
aa much as possible from the rest of
the house, and yet near enough to be
convenient.
For pantry north exposure is de-
sirable, but the kitchen ought TO have
sun. The ideal kitchen is only one
story high, with the ventilation from
the roof. 1t should be made as pleas.
ant as possible, and the health and COM
fort of the servant should be consid-
cred in all its arrangements. The fur
nishings should be simple. There
should be a small, low table covered
with zinc, with casters on it 80 that it
can be moved about to the range or
pantry. This table should be low
enough to slip under the larger table,
and be used for pairing vegetables and
fruit.
chairs, and shelf on which the cook
book and other reading matter can be
kept. The tins should be kept on
shelves or hung on the wall. Nothing
that is used in the kitchen can be out
Of keeping when placed around. In
deed, il in proper condition, they are
pleasant to look at. Some China is Or
namental as we'll as useful.
The range Is, of course, the most i'm
portant thing in the kitchen, and much
depends upon the proper use of the
draughts. The smoke of the fue
damper which pulls out in the front Of
the stove is very important, and should
always be open when one builds fire,
80 as to give one current Of air. Coal
should never be allowed to burn to q
white heat, because though at first it
gives an intense heat, after short
time it is impossible to get any, and
clinkers form. The only way to get rid
Of these is to burn oyster-shells in the
stove. This is an effective method
The coal should never come above the
lining of the range. One can do much
better work by keeping the CRATE lest
full.
The refrigerator should be placed
where it is well lighted, and the drair
pipe should not be connected with the
sewer. 1t 10 better because more
healthful to place a pan under it Il
catch the water. Once week the boz
should be thoroughly cleaned ant
washed with hot suds and hot sods
water, and the different pieces should
be put in the open air to dry. Specia
attention should be paid to the waste
pipe. This should be cleaned by run
ming wire through it and then clott
wet with soda water.
In the matter Of towels the loosely
woven crash is best for the cooking
utensils, which should be wiped inside
and outside. Russian crash is go0t
and wears we'll, but for the glass ani
china softer material is better anG
more easily washed. A wire dish cloth
10 almost indispensable; it cleans with
out any trouble.
The kitchen utensils should be
washed as carefully as the dining-roon
articles. Never scrape with knife OF
spoon; but buy little wooden skeweri
such as butchers use.
"If hot water 10 allowed to cool in
the kettle, it will rust it, and when once
thing rusts, it always rusts. Tin
rusts first, next granite, and then iron,
"Utensils in which food has been
fried should fret be wiped out with q
paper before being washed. Never
scOur with sand, it scratches. Wood
ashes are good for securing.