Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
DO Not Brush the Carpet.

The death of Pasteur reminded the
world of what is constantly present
in the thoughts of medical men,
namely, that while microbe organisms
are the great producers of disease,
dust is the great carrier of microbe
organisms.
Now that we know these things,
now that we understand that in the
quiet hours of night the germ-laden
dust settles down upon the floor, it is
distressing to find how little our
knowledge is put to practical use,
and to see old customs still un.
changed, old habits which we know
to be destructive carried on, and to
find the housemaid on her knees, with
her brush and dustpan, stirring up
dust to the detriment of every one,
and breathing germ. laden particles to
her own destruction.
1t needs but small amount of com
mon sense to see that if the carpets
must continue-a thing greatly to DO
depfecated-they should be rubbed
with damp cloth, rather than
brushed, and that if, in Difference to
prejudice, they must be brushed, this
should be done with q covered sweep.
er, with plenty Of damp ten leaves.
OF all ways of removing dirt from
carpet, the worst is by the use of the
ordinary short brush, which involves
the housemaid kneeling. down in the
midst OF the dust which she so need.
lessly creates, and drawing it in with
every breath. -.
If carpets must be, and if. it is i'm
possible to teach the present genera.
ton the evils OF seeking present COM
fort at the expense of future risks, at
least let us remember that carpets
may be washed even where they lie:
that, till the day'o washing comes, II
closed sweeper is for better than
brush, and that the worst form of
brush is the one with q short handle.
Household.
Recipes.
Ginger Pound Cake-One cup OF
butter, one of sugar, one of molasses,
two eggs, five cups of -four, table.
spoonful of ginger and q half tea.
spoonful Of nutmeg and one teaspoon.
full each of cinnamon and saleratus.
This will make two small loaves.
Pulled Potatoes Pare and slice
thin and keep in cold water until
wanted, then drop into boiling lard,
and when nearly done, skim them out
and drain. Put back into the boiling
lard and cook until thoroughly done.
The operation causes the potatoes to
puff.
Fried Apples-Pare, cut into rounds
one-quarter of an inch thick, and re-
move the core from six tart apples;
sprinkle the juice of one lemon and
half cupful of sugar over them TWEEN
ty minutes before frying; heat one
tablespoonful of butter in frying
pan, put the apples in, sugar side
down, cover to steam until soft; re-
move cover and allow them to brown;
use plenty of butter and continue to
fry until all are done; pour over them
the sauce from the pan and half cup.
full of whipped cream. &c..
Royal Roast-Select four pounds OF
lean beef. Brown two tablespoons of
drippings with two minced onions.
fry the roast in this, first rubbing a
teaspoon of salt we'll into it and dredg.
ing it with -four. When the meat is
brown add enough hot water to nearly
cover it. Cover the pan and simmer
one hour; then add six whole cloves
and six whole peppers, one-half cupful
of vinegar and eight crisp gingersnaps
laid on top of the meat. Cover tight
~ and cock until tender. When done
remove the meat, strain the gravy and
pour over it. Serve.