Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-01-13
Cold Weather Duties.

With the first cool days OF early fall,
the housekeeper commences to formulate
plans to make her family comfortable
for the coming OF winter, and her duties
become more exacting, because 30 much
depends upon the atmosphere OF the
house. In the summer the normal
person lives SO much out OF doors,
windows and doors are constantly open
there is no care as to the heating of the
house; social duties are Of an informal
character, and one takes life more easily.
The gradual approach of winter brings
such change, from house constantly
open to the fresh breezes and direct sun
light to one almost constantly closed,
that a little advice, on how to keep the
rooms sweet, we'll ventilated, and prop
erly heated, will not come amiss.
Healthful animal or vegetable life can
not be sustained without fresh air in
plenty. With the first chilly days we
are apt to forget this and so keep the
house too carefully closed against the
air. Living in rooms that have not a
proper supply of pure air lowers the vi
tality and makes one feel the cold much
more. 1t 10 an error to think house
can be kept warmer without fresh air
than with 1t.
Air the sleeping rooms the first thing
| in the morning. Have at least one win
dow in the upper hall in which a venti-
lator can be placed; or if that be incon-
veuient, have strip of board about four
or five inches wide set under the lower
sash. This will give fresh air without a
draught, and is q good way to ventilate
sleeping rooms, when one fears an open
window. Always keep some rooms
warm, while the others are being aired,
then give them thorough flooding with
fresh air, when the first rooms are com.
Portable. The kitchen with its odort
should be opened to the sunshine al
every opportunity. 1t is q good plan to
have q kitchen window opened always a
| few inches at the top. Then from the
opened door there comes draught thai
carries the impure air out of the win
| dow.
Fall cleaning need not be as energetic
as that of spring. The walls need to b.
wiped down, as they are likely to harbol
dust, the result Of opening doors
Screens should be taken down, cleaned
thoroughly, and wiped we'll with oil, tt
prevent rusting while in storage.
Although electric lights and gas are II
general use, they have not altogether
displaced the kerosene lamp as yet, anc
in fact there are many housewives wht
prefer the old style lamp. But unless
lamp is kept in clean condition, it will
furnish poor Pickering light, and Civ
off unpleasant odors. Therefore laml
cleaning becomes part of each winte
days routine, and the best time for TIT
task is in the morning, since fillinl
by artificial light has been the cause o
many q serious accident.
See that the fruit cellar Is proper.
cleaned and in fit sanitary condition TO
housing the winters supply. An evel
temperature should be maintained. Al
much fruit is lost through foul celia
as by imperfect sealing.
The care of the plumbing 10 an i'm
lportant duty. The housekeeper shoult
see, at least once day, to the thorougl
flushing Of all pipes. The best time 70
this is after the mornings work is done
After the midday work is done, ant
again at night, the pipe in the kitchen
sink should be thoroughly flushed wit
hot water, il possible. Once a week pu
half a pint Of washing soda in an oil
sauce pan and add six quarts Of hot wa
ter, place on. the fire until the soda i
dissolved, then pour the water In tn
pipes, reserving two quarts Of it for tn
kitchen sink,