Twentieth century home cook book

Never fill a stove more than half or two-thirds full of coal, even in the coldest weather. When the fire is low, never shake the grate or disturb the ashes, but add from ten to fifteen lumps of coal, and set the draft on. When these are heated through and somewhat ignited, add the amount necessary for a new fire, but do not disturb the ashes yet. Let the draft be open half an hour. Then shake out the ashes. The coal has thoroughly ignited, and will keep the stove at a high heat from six to twelve hours, according to the coldness of the Aveather. In very cold weather, after the fire is made, add coal every hour. Use of Coal in Sick Rooms.— Mrs. M. G. L., of West Virginia, writes: You know what a racket is caused, even by the most careful hand, in supplying coal to a grate or stove, and how, when the performance is undertaken by Biddy, it becomes almost distracting. If you don't remember, take notice the first time you are ill, or have a dear patient in your care, or the baby is in a quiet slumber. Let some one bring in the coal scuttle or shovel, and revive your recollection. Well, the remedy we suggest is to put the coal in little paper bags, each holding about a shovelful. These can be laid quietly on the fire, and, as the paper ignites, the coals will softly settle in place. You may fill a coal scuttle or box with such parcels, ready for use. For a sick-room, a nursery at night, or even for the library, the plan is admirable. Just try it. Besides, it is so cleanly. If you don't choose to provide yourself with paper bags, you can wrap the coals in pieces of newspapers at your leisure, and have them ready for use when occasion requires. Perhaps the "help" will kindly do it for you; or better still, the children, if the house is so sunshined, will attend to the wrapping, and think it fine fun. Economy in Coal.— Mrs. N. M., of St. Charles, Missouri, says: In any fireplace not excessively small, a plate of iron set upon the grate will halve the consumption of coal, reduce the smoke and leave a cheerful, free-burning fire. Quite sufficient air enters through the bars, no poking is necessary and the fire never goes out until the coals are consumed. There is no ash and no dust, every particle being consumed. Any householder can try this experiment and reduce his coal bill, say thirty per cent, at the cost of a shilling. Care of Stoves. — Blackening and polishing stoves is hard work. Indeed, one of the best known lady writers on economy and household art, has said that a blackened stove may be a nuisance. It may be so in more ways than one. Few housekeepers, says our authority, have time to blacken their stoves everyday, or even every week. Many wash them in either clean water or dish-water. This keeps them clean, but they look very brown. After a stove has been blackened, it can be kept looking very well for a long time by rubbing it with paper every morning. If I occasionally find a drop of gravy or fruit juice that the paper will not take off, I rub it with a wet cloth, but do not put on water enough to take off the blacking. VI. The Uses of Waste Paper.