THE HOUSEKEEPER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 9

THE HOUSEKEEPER.

WOMEN IN THE KITCHEN.

WASTED ENERGY. While labour-saving appliances have dono much to alleviate the troubles of housekeeping, the worker in the average domestic kitchen is still a victim to the ingrained conservatism of architects, builders, gas and coal-range manufacturers, states a London writer. In all occupations wherein men have to work standing provision is made that they should do so with the least inconvenience and the utmost efficiency. Tile desk of the ledger clerk, the case of the compositor are built at a height to enablo the man to do his work with a straight back.

In the equipment of the kitchen everything—range, ovens, sink, pastry tableare all placed at such distance from the ground that a woman of average height performs all her work with a bent back. The consequences are twofold —impairment of health and waste of energy. Tho first consideration appears to me the mora important, as I believe that this continual working in a constrained attitude day after day, year in and year out, is productive of more ill-health among young women that anyone has yet taken tho trouble to estimate.

As regards wasls of energy, 1 am enabled to refer to a series of valuable experiments that have been carried out at the office of home economics of tho United States Department of Agriculture, with a view to ascertaining a woman's expenditure of energy in the performance of housework. These experiments, conducted under the auspices of Dr. Langworthy, chief of the office, were made possible by confining tho subject at work in an enclosed chamber known as the respiration calorimeter. A comparison of the amount of energy transformed by the body during a given period of time while at complete rest, and while doing the prescribed work was taken as an indication of the energy required for each specified task. A very significant item in the experiments was the work of dish-washing which was done at tables of three different heights. When tho subject was able to work in a comfortable position, tho figure showed an energy expenditure of 21 calories per hour. Vviien the table was so high that she had to raise her arms it rose to 25 calories, and to 30 calories when it was so low that she had to stoop. That a few inches difference in tho height of a sink or table may increase by from 20 to 50 per cent, the physical strain upon a woman engaged in the daily task of "washing-up" is a fact that should be well rubbed in to the intelligences of architects, builders, and others responsible for constructing our kitchens. DO YOU KNOW? A grease stain can be taken out of velveteen by dropping a little turpentine on _the spot and rubbing it quite dry with a piece of clean flannel. If the stain is of long standing it may be necessary to repeatthe process. Fresh-water fish should be cleaned as soon as possible after they are taken from the water, or their delicate flavour is spoiled. If chamois leather gloves are ironed with a tepid iron when they; are just dry after washing, they will become soft and pliable, and will not split. Save odd pieces of soap, put them into a jar, and pour boiling water over them. When set, this makes a good soap jelly for washing day. White kid gloves that e:re very soiled can be cleaned with a mixture of half finely powdered fuller's earth and half alum. Rub in piece of flannel, and then brush with a soft, clean brush. '

Mother-of-pearl must never be cleaned with soap and water. A soft duster moistened with olive oil, followed by gentle rubbing and a final polish with an old silk handkerchief, will restore its beauty. \ - ■ Cauliflowers often break when removed from boiling water, If they are cooked in a- clean muslin' bag, however, such trouble will not occur, and the vegetable can be lifted from the pot without fear of spoiling. To cook haricot or butter beans successfully fat in some form should be added. A slice of fat bacon, or even bacon rinds, are good, but-best of all i? a little fat pork. The beans should be soaked well beforehand, and cooked slowly. When soaking cauliflower before cooking it place it in unsalted water. This draws out the insects. If the water is salted the insects are killed, but remain in th 9 vegetable. Do not wind artificial silk for knitting into a ball, but over a piece of cardboard shaped like a Maltese cross. This prevents tangles. If you put a little floor polish on marblo after it has been scrubbed and rub with a soft, clean cloth, a brilliant polish will result.

To remove the skins from tomatoes rub them all over with the back of a knife to loosen the skins before peeling. This is better than scalding them. Strains are caused by stretching tlio muscles or tendons in severe exertion. -Apply hot fomentations as soon as possible. Absolute rest is necessary if a speedy cure is desired. IVORY. Ivory is sucji a .beautiful substance and lias such a long life that it deserves some trouble and care to keep it in pristine condition. Hair brushes with ivory backs specially need attention. When. they are due for a wash the back .and handle should bo well covered with oiled silk or other waterproof material so that the ivory is kept from contact with the soapy water; this has a tendency to discolour ivory by imparting a yellowish tinge. If discoloration "has already taken place the yellow tinge can often bo eradicated by applying a thick paste made with a little alcohol and powdered whiting. Leave the paste on for 24 hours until the alcohol has evaporated, then brush off tho whiting with a soft brush. Lemon juice rubbed on once a month will generally keep ivory articles white and in nice condition.