The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-06-17
TOO MANY oupRoARpa.

Gertrude Thnrston writes as follows to the
Country Gentleman: 81 once visited newly
married friend and was shown through her
beautiful home When we came to the kitch-
| en- thought it must be some kind of gigantic
refrigerator, it was so filled with cupbOards.
Cupboards to right of us, cnpboards to left of
MS, cupboard in front of us-this was certainly
triumph in cupboards. Even the sink was
surrounded by a cupboard to hold the pots and
kettles. Not a dish was in sight, not a tin
could be seen, every jar was concealed, and
acknowledged to my friend that this was the
most mysterious place that had ever entered.
fortunately the range was not inside of
cupboard, but this was the only kitchen uten-
sill in view. The teakettle was not singing
upon it, however. It was in cupboard. lam
not given to sentiment, and believe in GER
tain kinds Of cupboards but this was the chilli
est, most unkitchen-like kitchen l ever be-
held. My friend pointed out its absolute per-
lection, explaining the uses of each cupboard.
She told me how convenient It was to tuck
was in hurry and this is the point.
"Cupboards are dangerous unless kept open
and absolutely clean. This is particularly diff
ficult in case of so many cupboards, even with
the most careful housekeeping. Scraps Of food
may be left about, dishes put away that are
sunlight never enters these cupboaTds-nor q
current of air to dissipate impurities. Unlike
refrigerators they are not kept ice cold, so the
growth Of microbes is not checked. All germs
are not harmful, but those which breed in de-
caying vegetable matter and multiply in the
dark cannot be wholesome and may be deadly.
This is particularly true of sink cupboards.
Avoid them. They are menace to health in
any home. Noupto date architect plans these
now, and no firstclass carpenter or plumber
OfVxko ohn hxa hrtslf wTstt
an open space beneath where sunlight and air
circulates freely. 1t is always a temptation
when strengthening up the kitchen to put out
of sight and in the easiest place the scrubbing
brush, floor cloth, old shoes, rubbers and every
other rubbish that is likely to litter mp the
kitchen. The easiest place is under the sink,
with the pots and kettles and here they are
apt to be put. Many cases ofsickness have no
doubt been caused by these sink cupboards.
Hang your floor cloths where the air reaches
and dries them; burn the old shoes and save
the rubbers for the rag-man. If necessary.
hang the tins and kettles in the kitchen. They
are not disgrace; let them be seen.
1.-THE most attractive kitchen / have ever
seen is in Martha Washington's old-fashioned
is hung with kettles, and the walls glitter with
copper and tin ware. OF course, there were
slaves to keep these polished, and ranges have
very sensibly taken the place of the homelike
though dirty fireplaces. The practical way is
always the best way and too many cupboards
are not practical.
"a large pantry, built with two windows for
air and sunshine, and with open shelves, is a
much safer and more wholesome place for
food and kitchen utensils than dark cupboards.
Here the food is seen and therefore not apt to
be neglected. Moreover, if unnoticed for a
time the danger is less because it is in the open
where the current of air is constantly chang
ing. This is true of kitchen utensils also.
"Cupboards with glass doors are useful for
Dishes as they keep out dust. This is true
especially of dishes not used often and which
are decorative. For this reason sideboards
with glass doors are to be preferred to open
ones. Dishes kept in the pantry will not be-
come dusty, however, if used daily.
"Cupboards are all right if properly used
but it is possible to have SO many of them that
they cannot be properly used because they re-
nnira fnn much attention. -