Chapter III: Introduction: The Housekeeper as Manager

BY RICHARDSON WRIGHT, Editor of _House and Garden Magazine_ xi

CHAPTER

I. INTRODUCING YOU TO ELECTRICITY 1
Electricity simplified for your many uses.

II. KEEPING OUT OF HOT WATER 13
Making dishwashing a pleasant game. How the drudgery of
dishwashing is banished by electricity.

III. ELECTROCUTING THE WASH 22
No more wasting the laundress. Electric laundries make
washing, drying and ironing swifter and cleaner.

IV. THE PORTABLE VACUUM CLEANER 45
Makes a clean sweep if you buy the right kind.

V. A PIPE DREAM 54
The stationary vacuum plant in your cellar is piped for
convenience, like water to your chambers.

VI. COOKING BY ELECTRIC CURRENT 62
Not a currant jam, but a release of time and a gain in
cleanliness and comfort.

VII. TAKING GUESSWORK OUT OF GAS COOKERY 75
Done by the new devices for timing and temperatures and
the new surfaces for cooking.

VIII. THE OIL RANGE 86
These days can never say “Call me oily, mother dear,” as
the new ranges are odorless, swift and clean cookers.

IX. COOKING BY ABSENT TREATMENT 96
The method of the new fireless electric cookers.

X. QUESTIONS FROM THE LEAGUE OF RATIONS 100
Well met by the new kitchenette equipments.

XI. KEEPING IT COOL 106
The refrigerator is good only if you buy the best types.
The points are here for your digestion.

XII. THE PASSING OF THE ICE MAN 113
The irrevocable tragedy with the advent of the ice-making
refrigerators.

XIII. A BURNING QUESTION 119
The incinerator. The right kind of incineration is the
only way to answer the question.

XIV. AIR AND ITS ENTRANCE AND EXIT 126
Depend on many things detailed in this chapter.

XV. THE PLUMBING IN YOUR KITCHEN 136
A “piping” chapter in reference to sinks of all kinds,
refrigerator connection, etc.

XVI. KNIFE-LIFE IN THE KITCHEN 150
Speaks for their habits, habitat, uses, and abilities.

XVII. THE ANCIENT WOOD IMPLEMENTS 163
Their place in your modern economy.

XVIII. GLASS WARE 170
Some transparent but overlooked facts.

XIX. THE BRIDE’S KITCHEN 175
With its accessories is the same as any first equipment
for any kitchen (utensils, function, etc.).

XX. CANNING AND PRESERVING 187
With many new angles.

XXI. CASSEROLES OR THE REVOLUTION CULINARY 197
An exciting title for a casserole discussion.

XXII. FURNISHING YOUR KITCHEN 202
The best, according to your purse, is suggested here.
Tables much discussed.

XXIII. KITCHEN COSMETICS 211
How to “make-up” the kitchen with paint and varnish.

XXIV. THE GREAT AMERICAN DISH 220
Ice cream is made possible by proper implements.

XXV. THE KITCHEN ROTARY CLUB 229
Tells of the new and old buffers and mixers for culinary
amalgamations, etc., and how to “beat it” modernly.

XXVI. FLAWS OR FLOORS IN YOUR KITCHEN 236
Gives advice as to choice and treatment of floorings.

XXVII. FEDERALIZING YOUR KITCHEN 244
Having kitchen cabinets built the right way, so that
from them kitchen processes can comfortably be directed.

XXVIII. WHEN THE POT HANGS HIGH 250
A plea for the convenient arrangement of everyday
kitchen utensils. Hooks versus closets, and daylight
versus dark.

XXIX. BRUSHING UP ON BRUSHES 255
Their manufacture, functions, treatment, and
adaptability to different things.

XXX. THE QUIET HOUSE 264
How by insulations, and various other devices, quiet may
be had in _any_ home.

XXXI. OSTRACIZING THE FLY 269
By screens (and cleanliness). Here cleanliness is taken
for granted and screens are discussed--not movie but
movable screens.

XXXII. POLISHING THE WATER SUPPLY 282
Another way of saying, “Here are ways to filter water
properly.”

XXXIII. OUTSTRIPPING THE GALE 292
By weather stripping. A discussion of weather strips to
save time, money and health.

XXXIV. BEAUTY AND THE BATH 302
Retails the new bathroom fixings which make them less
like a hospital in appearance.

XXXV. THE WINTER OF YOUR CONTENT 313
Can be had only by heating plants properly bought and
kept.

XXXVI. OUTLETS SAVE YOUR INCOME 328
In lighting the house.

XXXVII. TIN WARE, RUBBER AND PAPER 337
Mere articles of use and comfort.

XXXVIII. COME OUT OF THE PARLOR 343
And see what lovely gifts you can give from the realm of
the kitchen.

XXXIX. LATEST INVENTIONS 348
At least as late as the printing of a new book
permitted.

XL. MEASURE FOR MEASURE 354
A warning in terms of weights and measures for kitchen
economy.

XLI. TAKING THE KITCHEN ALONG 366
When motoring or picnicking what to carry.

XLII. THE FIRE HAZARD 370
Ways to decrease the danger of fire.

XLIII. TAKING CARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT 390
The only way to cheat the junk-pile after buying the
best devices.

XLIV. A FEW SUGGESTIVE BOOKS 400
In which you may read further about things we could not
touch upon in this short collection.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Bungalow and palace can be fed with the newer oil
ranges with plenty of space and ovens _Frontispiece_

PAGE

A way to keep out of “hot water”--The portable dishwasher 15

The dishwasher which is a table when not washing 19

Wet days can be dry days no matter what the law may be with the
indoor dryer 33

Looking for the dust which was sucked down from above stairs! 55

Electric range 63

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Hood and stove heated by gas and wood 75

The smooth top 38″ gas range takes the stoop out of stoopid
cookery 77

Taking the guess work out of oven temperatures by the use of an
automatic heat regulator 81

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A corner in Walter Russell’s kitchenette 100

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When there is a cellar used for the laundry, the ice-maker coils
can be set down there with ease and simplicity 106

Nor cold nor heat can get beyond these fortifications 109

She is cool even in summer with moving air 129

Devices designed by the author for keeping cutlery in cutting
form 158

Another device designed by the author for keeping cutlery in
cutting form 160

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Showing the meat-chopping table, range 202

A member of the kitchen rotary club at work on cake-mixing 231

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An ideal kitchen with linotile floor, built-in steel kitchen
cabinet units and cook’s table, with pot hanger comfort 236

TO FACE PAGE
A steel unit kitchen cabinet flanked by broom and duster closets 244

The screen which rolls up is a comfort as well as a safe and sure
insect ostracizer 275

Double hung or ordinary sliding window treatment with
weatherstrips obviates draughts, dust and noise--saves coal! 295

A method of heating water by means of a faucet attachment 325

Detach plug from iron as well as from socket if you want your
home intact 382

She has prepared the way for a nice little fire 383

CHEATING THE JUNK-PILE

Cheating The Junk-Pile