Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-19
Labor SAVING Devices.

We all know that women should be
Interested in better government, bet
ter schools. better neghhorhood and
city conditions. We see the need for
time to give to preserving health and
attraetiyeness. to Keep their minds
alert in order to meet the growing
demands of the developing family. A
tired dragged out mother certainly
does not add 10 the comfort of the
family circle and for this reason a
woman should arrange her house and
working tools so that ali labor may
he reduced 10 a minimum.
In the first place. it is mistake to
have the kitchen too large. for much
energy is wasted in useless steps and
cleaning a built in cupboard is a
great convenience. In one little
kitchen the cupboard was built in the
wall at The end of the sink. The top
part was shelved and covered by
opaque glass doors, the lower part
had no shelves and was built to hold
the bread box. the sugar jar, a large
crock for flour, and other various
things. Two wooden doors covered
this section. In this cupboard We're
all the tinware and crockery needed
in preparation of meal
\ projection between the kitchen
and dining room contained smaller
cupboard. with clear glass doors,
where the every day dishes were
kept. Below was a chest Of drawers
which was used for dish towels and
other kitchen necessities. Then there
was IA pantry. with a window opening
upon covered porch. which was
used for cold storage room in winter
and where the ice box stood in sum
mer All perishable foods, such as
fruits and vegetables aud meat, were
put there. There were shelves also
for jellies and preserves.
OF course. for the city womans
there are many things, snch as elee-
tric washing machines, irons, and
vacuum cleaners. But even in the
country where the mother cannoc
have gas stoves and electric washers.
there are many conveniences that will
tighten her work and give her more
time for rest and recreation.
ON many farms there are stationary en-
gines that are used by the men to shell
corn and cut up fodder for the stock
The same power could be used 10 turn
the washing machine, or, if there is no
engine on the place, a light running, bali
bearing washing machine will be found
much easier than the exhausting rubbing
of the tub. Let the children take turns
with the machines and see how easily
quite a large wash can be done.
In one country home the cistern was
placed under the kitchen floor and the
water pumped directly into sink, the
waste going through drain and into a
covered trough which was sunk even
with the ground crossing the yard and
enptying into ditch in the garden. The
cistern was reached by a trap door and a
ladder which hooked into the floor. After
ii was emptied of water the tank, which
was galvanized iron. was scrubbed with
soap and water. and so kept perfectly
ciean +tt - @+
There was also a pump on the back
porch. so that In bad weather it was not
necessary to go out into the yard for
drinking water. The wood box, which
was hardwood, stained and vanished,
stood near the stove under a window. and
with IA pillow formed cosy window seat,
a favorfte place for the children to read
on a winter day.
one woman, a mother of four children,
the Oldest 10 and the youngest three. does
ali her own work. including the washing.
ironing, and plain sewing, and still has
time to belong to the woman's club of the
town, and both she and her eldest daugh-
ter are members of the same French
class
In building their home they kept in
mind economy of space, There are no
useles halls or corners, for they built
just what they needed for comfort, but
no more An the rooms are simply fur
nished the living room Is JUST what the