New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-03
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS IN PANAMA
Many Curious Customs Interesting to North
ern Housewives.

! New-York housewives with iunurnerable con-
! Nenielces which they imagine 70 be indispensable.
"ou4a deem Il strange 10 see how domestic affairs
are conducted IN that much talked Of city, Panama
The houses are generally above stores and are
built on the plan OF large single Nev-York apart
ments There are no windows. but instead JaIousie
J oooTs' which lead 10 tho front and rear balconies
n foTdUess Tor flowers IS a characteristic Of the
] isthnus as proved by the time and thought ex-
pended on their cultivation. As few houses have
running water. the care Of plants indeed becomes
1 labor OF love. Families who are not fortunate
enough 10 possess gardens utilize every available
place for their boxes OF growing plants. and the
results attained testify to the fact thar II f. not
loves labor lost On passing beneath the
pazzas IN the cool OF the evening one is forcbIy re-
minded of Shelley's lines:
The 5essaInine faint and the sweet ,uberos,
he sweetest Hover for that blows
Claveles, OF white pinks. are highly priced on
the isthmus. perhaps because they are so difficult
10 rear and are frequently selected for bridal bou-
euets. The Espiritu Santo IS a pure white orchid
that ho4ds close 10 its heart a little white dove
with outstretched wings. IN ancient days II was
held sacred by the superstitious natives and even
to-day, when growing. IL is tended reverentially.
The flower has now become very scarce.
There many Cinnamon who make quite a
livelihood cultivating vegetables and fruit. guavas
being their especial hobby for which they always
obtain ready market Housekeepers make more
OF that fruit Tor preserves than Of any other.
Though employers do not regard the servant
question a serious problem. TO be solved by
guilds Intelligence Offices. the employees evil
IDENTIFY OF a more scientific turn Of mind. for they
believe exclusively in the principle Of specialties.
Thus q small family Of ordinary is
PEELED 10 keep a cook. chanbermaid and waitress,
q man to polish the floors and do odd Jobs while
the number OF varies IN accordance with
the number Of children IN the family
Few houses have wells. csterns tanks, water
being therefore a commodity which is supplied
BY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS carriers who travel around
the city with donkeys bearing water barrels
either side. In consequence OF this expense wash
ing invariably done the river banks by cOlored
women, who carry the clothes In large wooden
bowls their heads The garments are beaten
on leTge lat stones s %ltn nat pieces OF Woo:
river banks For this vast amount OF time and
cents a dozen childreu's clothes being considered
at the Of pieces for one The starching
schedule OF wages FOR house servants is IN proper
With the exception OF nurses and cnambermsids
al servants sleep in their own homes and as the
tween the hours Of S and a, m cooks before
leaving a. night receive money 70 Pe ehpsnqeG iSs
desired during the oay Tor the evening olnner
al the playa frsta. or silver Beach 90 called BY
the Wilderness Of ne sandl the aoSr OF me d
groceries Is brought from the small adjacent ISL
To foreignsr the sight is indeed amusing. The
OF the foodstufis trying 70 OBTAIN as many ,y
close bargains fOr their enlployers " len Qeli-
ees ST SsfSr and MATCHING from each other
the coveted articles there is great rivalry among
re Young houseEesper who tried to buy canvas
back duck by the yard WOULD Oe ib S9soS s sG5
KIND of beef Il purchased On that manner, Tasato
and f ihieFness sailed and hung Up Be dried by
the air. n s etc &ed with rice In casserole ana
Al much eaten by the natives. In this country.
,shsrs the insst agateware can DE pgrchesed At a
~ contrary. where metal utensils are exceedingly
expensive osss roles are s ~ s%sTSi USE "o' ''