Chapter I: Preface

The point of view from which this manual was written is indicated in the introduction.

The aims are to increase efficiency in the farm home and to satisfy the growing demand for useful information in the country schools.

This is done by giving suggestions and directions for practical work to be done in the home and at school.

Throughout the country to-day many rural schools are expressing a desire to add to their present school curricula courses which are practical. The ideal kept in mind during the preparation of this manual has been to supply that need and at the same time to make it possible for any woman to use the book in her own home.

The limitations in the size have caused many omissions. It is the intention of the author to enlarge upon this material as the demand increases. Ideas and suggestions from other States have been dominant throughout, thus carrying out the true demonstration point of view.

THE AUTHOR.
January, 1917.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Acknowledgment and thanks are gratefully given to the following persons for suggestions, use of material, and corrections:

Miss Ola Powell, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., for making this little volume possible by inspirational suggestions furnished throughout the preparation of the manual and especially for the use of her two models of jelly strainers and illustrations on cheese making.

Mr. O. B. Martin, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., for his most valuable suggestions and sympathetic interest during the entire preparation of the material.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., for photographs of roller tray wagon, water works system, and ideas obtained from circular letter prepared by Miss Mary E. Creswell and Miss Ola Powell, of the States Relations Service, Office of Extension Work in the South.

Mr. Harry M. Lamon, Poultry Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., for illustrations of poultry house, dry mash hopper and chicken coop, and the use of information in Farmers’ Bulletin, No. 574.

Mr. B. H. Rawl, Chief of the Dairy Division, Bureau of Animal Industry; United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., and Mr. J. H. McClain and other specialists in the Dairy Division for assistance in taking the pictures and for criticisms and corrections of the material.

Mr. N. E. D. Talcott, State Agent in Poultry Club Work in Virginia, for the use of his dry mash hopper and oat-sprouting rack.

Dr. John W. Wayland, State Normal School, Harrisonburg, Va., for his appropriate dedication.

Miss Elizabeth C. Cleveland, Head of the English Department, State Normal School, Harrisonburg, Va., for reading and correcting manuscript.

Mrs. K. C. Blythe, Leesburg, Va., for permission to use a dish drainer.

Mr. C. E. Hanson, A. & M. College, College Station, Texas, for his interest and helpful suggestions.

Miss Emma Chandler, State Agent in Home Demonstration Work, Stillwater, Okla., for the use of iceless refrigerator No. 2 and directions for making same.

Mr. Thos. H. Fullan, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Ala., for the use of his milking stool and suggestions for making the shower bath.

Mrs. Helen Brown Wolcott, State Agent in Home Demonstration Work, Lexington, Ky., for ideas for making the dish rack.

To “The Country Gentleman” for illustrations of cheese making.

Also others who have contributed to this volume.

CONTENTS

PAGE
INTRODUCTION 13-14

CHAPTER I

KITCHEN CONVENIENCES 15
Vegetable Paring Table, Wall Cabinet for the Kitchen,
Ironing Board, Jelly Strainer, No. 1 and No. 2, Dish
Drainer, Dish Rack, Coal Box, Wood Box, Fireless
Cooker, Home-made Cook Stove Drier.

CHAPTER II

DINING ROOM CONVENIENCES 43
Roller Tray Wagon, Sideboard, Screen.

CHAPTER III

PORCH EQUIPMENT 51
Iceless Refrigerator, No. 1 and No. 2, Umbrella Stand,
Blacking Box, Towel Roller, Porch Swing.

CHAPTER IV

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 67
Dustless Mop, Folding Canning Table, Fly Trap,
Garbage Barrel, Scrubbing Chariot, Sewing Screen,
Shower Bath, Practical Waterworks System.

CHAPTER V

POULTRY DEVICES 84
Poultry House, Nests, Egg Tester, Dry Mash Hopper,
No. 1 and No. 2, Rack for Oat-Sprouting Trays, Dust
Boxes, Drinking Vessel, Chicken Brooder.

CHAPTER VI

DAIRY DEVICES 99
Butter-making, Butter Worker, Milking Stool,
Cheese-making Equipment.