The Colorado statesman., 1922-02-25

prepared by the United States Department
of Agriculture.)
Two pans on a table, filled with wa
ter carried from the stove, to be car
ried out again when the dishes were
washed, was the usual method 90
years ago. A gallon of water weighs
about eight pounds, and the woman in
a house having no water system car
ried several tons of it in the course
of a year. Today every well-equipped
home hes q water system. If 1t does
not, 1t has at least sink with drain
which saves carrying out of doors the
waste water.
In buying a new sink many factors
are to be taken into consideration.
Some of them, given in Farmers
Bulletin, 1.-THE Farm Kitchen AS a
Workshop" follow:
The size of the family, and Of the
kitchen, must determine the size of
the sink installed, but a short sink
with ample table and shelf room near
sink. Two smaller sinks, one for the
table dishes near the dining room and
the other for general use in the kitch-
en-, are very convenient.
With No Square Corners.
The material of the sink should be
the best available, nonabsorbent of
grease as well as moisture, and there
should be no cracks or square corners
to increase the work of keeping it
clean. A wooden sink and sink spout,
even when they receive an annual coat
of paint, will absorb moisture and
grease which attract insects, are like
ly to be swarming with bacteria, and
to "sour" and have an unpleasant
odor. Even drain boards of wood are
not recommended unless they have a
waterproof finish of varnish, oil, or
paint. If wooden sink is necessary,
it is better to have 1t metal lined, pro-
vided the sheets of metal, which usu-
ally is tin, zinc, galvanized iron, cop
per, or lead, are soldered where they
are Joined, and all parts of the sink,
including the tops of the sides. COW
cred with the metal, so that there is
no chance for the wood to absorb
moisture Another plan is to have
cement sink built into wooden
frame and lined with sheet copper or
tin.
Iron sinks of good quality are su-
perior to wooden ones, since they do
not absorb grease or moisture, and
are durable. They are kept clean
easily, If smooth, and they will soon
wear smooth, but they have the dis
advantage of neither showing dirt nor
proclaiming their cleanliness. Unless
the front is protected by strip of
wood the dresses and aprons of the
worker are likely to become stained
with iron rust.
A soapstone or slate sink Is dur
able, but sometimes becomes uneven
with wear, and If this happens, much
brushing and scrubbing are required
to remove the sand and grease that
gather in the depressions when vege-
tables are cleaned or dishes washed.
Like iron, they do not show whether
they are clean.
Some Expensive Sinks.
Enameled-ron sinks are smooth,
last well with careful use, and may
be kept clean easily, but they are
more expensive than iron. Porcelain
sinks are similar to the enameled ones,
but their price is almost prohibitive.
Perhaps the Ideal plan would be to
have an enameled or porcelain sink
for the tableware in the kitchen or the
pantry near the dining room, and an
iron or soapstone sink for the heavier
kitchen ware.
The double sinks. with one basin
for washing and another for draining
dishes, are very convenient, but un-
fortunately they are relatively expen-
sive. A small sink with a rubber stop
per for It's escape pipe may be used
as a dishpan when two sinks are
used.
The wall behind the sink should be
covered with some material that will
not absorb water or grease, and that
is high enough to hold the faucets If
there are any. A solid back of the
same material as the sink reduces the
number of places which collect dirt
and attract insects. Better than either
of these, however. is sink and back
made in one piece. Sheet zinc may
be used when solid back cannot be