Cookery for every household

Varnished paper makes another appropriate covering ; it lasts well, looks bright, and can very easily be cleaned ; or, again, the sanitary or so-called washable paper might be used, — this is less expensive than varnished paper, although it will not last so well nor stand so much cleaning. Specially prepared washable paints are also to be recommended ; they are to be had in a variety of shades, and make a kitchen look very pretty. The woodwork in the kitchen should either be painted the same colour as the walls in a darker shade, or with white paint or a light oak stain. The Flooring. — This will be found to vary according to locality. In some parts of the country we find red flags, in others glazed tiles, red and yellow bricks, concrete or wooden boards, &c. When the flooring consists of flags, tiles, or bricks, it does not as a rule require further covering, as these are easily washed, and one or two rugs for standing on will be all that is necessary. But with a wooden floor it is different, as boards soon become soiled and are difficult to keep in order. In this case it is important to cover them with some material that is easily washed. Good well-seasoned linoleum is the best covering for a kitchen floor, and one with A well-arranged Kitchen Dresser a pattern is generally to be preferred to a plain one, as it does not show marks so readily. The inlaid linoleums are the best, as their colourings and designs are so worked into the materials that they cannot wear off or be obliterated. The initial outlay will be somewhat greater, but a good inlaid linoleum will be found cheaper in the end, as it is so much more durable than the other makes. Linoleum requires to be very carefully laid; it should either be glued to the floor or have the edges of each breadth fastened down by a few headless brads. Care must also be taken in the washing (see p. 12). Fittings and Furnishings. — The number of immovable fittings in a kitchen will vary considerably with the style of house, but they usually comprise a dresser, shelves, cupboards, a pulley for hanging up towels, &c., a roller for towel, gas or electric fittings, bells, sink, and a kitchen range or stove. The most important fixture in a kitchen is the range or stove, and this is treated in a section by itself (see p. 16). The dresser is really the kitchen sideboard, and as a rule it is fitted against one of the W'alls and belongs to the house. If it has to be made to order, take careful measurements of the wall space available and have it made to fit. The upper part is usually made with grooved shelves, on which the plates and dishes of the dinner service are kept, or it may be fitted with shelves for jars with hooks along the edge of the shelves on which to hang small utensils ; the latter is the better plan when space is valuable. The top part of the dresser will give room for soup tureen, vegetable dishes, sauce boats, knife trav, weights and scales, &c. — beneath there should be two or three drawers for holding spoons, knives, &c., and kitchen towels, while the lower part is fitted up with cupboards for holding dishes and the larger cooking utensils. Extra accommodation can often be provided by having one or two shelves fitted up in these cupboards.