Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-03-07
HOUSEKEEPING AS A BUSINESS
A Paper Prepared and Read Before
the Woman's Literary Club by
Miss Clemma Seaver.

lnoT0 Has never UccIl d CluIS WHC1
the fact that housekeeping is bust
ness has been forced upon the atten-
ton of the average housekeeper with
such persistence as it is being forced
today. The necessity of economy of eff
fort as we'll as, economy of dollars and
cents is apparent. Let us consider
housekeeping in the same manner
that a man considers his business.
Success in the business world is not
hap-hazard; the manager of any firm
must see clearly the needs of his bust
ness, set a standard, and stick to it.
| The essentials to be considered are:
first, object of business; second, CAPT
tai; third, equipment; fourth, system;
fifth, economy; sixth, dividends.
The object of housekeeping would
be defined differently by different peo-
pie. To some the desired result seems
to be show place to dazzle the eyes
of the neighbors; to others the OBJ
ject appears to be the discipline of
the family in the art of cleanliness;
while to still others there seems to be
no object at all. But if the intelli-
gent housewife thinks seriously of her
business she realizes that housekeep-
ing is not an end in itself, but
means to an end, the creating of the
highest home atmosphere which must
mean the comfort and health of the
whole family, including herself. Con-
|.tented minds and bodies of the family
may then be said to be the object of
housekeeping. No two households
are alike and the means of obtaining
this object must be studied out by
the manager of each individual estab-
lishment. The number of members,
sex, ages, tastes and the number of
hours actually spent in the home must
be considered.
For most of us the original invest
ment has been made and it only re-
mains with us to provide for the op-
but to the housekeeper making the
original investment it is matter re-
quiring intelligence and careful plan
ming. All too often there is no defin-
tie sum determined upon above which
it is not good business for the firm to
go. Of course this sum is determined
by the income of the family; however,
good buying is just as good business
whether the income is large or small
When the sum to be spent for the pur-
chase or leasing of house (one-fifth
of the income must be reckoned for
rent or up-keep of house), and the
sum to be spent for furnishing has
been determined upon the next ques-
ton is equipment.
First, what are the necessities and
what are the Injuries? What must
be bought of high quality and what
will give equally good value for the
amount expended in cheaper articles
To eliminate such things as tighten
labor or add to the health of the fam
lily is foolish economy; but many are
the homes that would be improved in
appearance as well as in labor-saving
by the elimination of some articles of
furniture that were once considered
necessities. Think we'll before pur-
chasing anything purely ornamental,
for if not of real esthetic value it will
become a drug on the market, as
much SO as the what-nots and hair
Wreaths of our grandmothers. Real
labor-saving devices are economies,
but be sure they fit the needs of your
business before purchasing.
The best equipment lacking system
IN arrangement and use is poor in
vestment. We may not be able to
build over our houses to make them
convenient, but until one has tried
she cannot realize how much system
attic arrangement of what one already
has can do to Tighten labor Dishpans
too high or too low, utensils hung out
of reach, cooking materials inconveni-
Siiciy P1caSSu clIlu d GllOuSd1u anu one
other things unhandily arranged make
IN the aggregate poor Workshop
System in the planning of time and
use of equipment is perhaps still more
essential. l grant that the best sys-
TENS are Interrupted constantly; but,
nevertheless, the lack of system of
many housekeepers is one of the chief
causes of difference between their at
titude toward their business and that
OF the average business man toward
his. 10 set standard and adhere to
it as nearly as possible makes of your
business a satisfaction and a joy:
while haphazard methods or none
conspire to discomfort. To time ones
self at all the tasks of the household
and doing it until by thought one can
cut down the time of performance
seems absurd, but the time thus saved
is surprising. This time may easily
be utilized for some of 'sthose things
that are never done" or better still
for some of the waiting tasks for
your larger family-your community.
Ruskin tells us that Economy no
more means saving money than it
means spending money to the best
possible advantage" America is the
most extravagant nation in the world
and American housewives are doing
their share in earning this distinction
Let us consider here especially econ
omy, of food supplies. On every side
we hear groans and EXPLANATIONS at
the increase in price of almost everv
article used by the housewife and we
are appalled, if we do not realize that
this advance may be counteracted in a
large degree. To eliminate from the
diet of the family those things which
are necessary elements of nutrition is
not economy, but to substitute for
them those other things that are in
: every way as nutritious but much low
er In price is the work of every house
!, keeper who would practice economy.
, We may well learn from the German
system inaugurated by their govern