Whatever plan is made for the house of the future that its household laboratory may have the attention it deserves, the life of the Country Girl therein is to be set to a new rhythm, or she will be hopelessly left behind. Can any one doubt that she will ask for such things as she believes are necessary to her highest efficiency, and insist upon having them?
Various lists of essential labor-saving devices have been suggested. The one that follows was taken for the most part from an agricultural paper and includes most of the things now recommended by specialists in household economics. But it must be noted that the progress in the application of forces to needs is now very swift, and any day these devices may be superseded by more expediting appliances. It is the duty of every young woman to keep track of these additions to her repertory of activities. The various journals of mechanics constantly report them, and the wild frenzy of the advertisers may be turned into righteousness by watching what they have that will be of use to us.
A List of Labor-Saving Devices
| Water system, including bathtub, and all fixtures connected therewith. |
| Heating system. |
| Lighting system. |
| Vacuum cleaner. |
| Refrigerator, or a concrete cooler built near the well to take advantage of the coolness of the well water. |
| Sewing-machine with electric power to run it. |
| Washing-machine, do. |
| Wringer, do. |
| Dishwashing machine, do. |
| Cold mangle. |
| Alcohol iron or electric iron. |
| Carpet-sweeper. |
| Bread-mixer. |
| Cake-mixer. |
| Meat and vegetable mill. |
| Fireless cooker. |
| Coal-oil stove, three burner. |
| Dinner wagon or wheeled tray. |
| Ash chutes, to the kitchen for the range and to each room that has a fireplace; not needed if electric stove is used. |
| Cement walks—through the yard and garden to prevent wear and tear on floors of the house. |
A scheme for the equipment of a modern kitchen follows, with, again, the proviso that the young woman must adapt it to her own needs by careful study of her conditions:
Equipment for a Farm Kitchen
FURNITURE
| Stove with water-back and boiler. |
| Kitchen table with drawer. |
| Kitchen cabinet. |
| Ice-box. |
| Fireless cooker. |
| Scrap basket. |
| Clock. |
| A revolving high-stool. |
| A magnifying glass. |
| A dissecting microscope. |
| A linoleum floor covering. |
| A double sink. |
| 2 double wheeled trays. |
| A perfectly fitted wire screen for each window. |
| A wire screen door. |