A pair of scales and accurate measures are the only safe reliance, but these are not always to be found in every family. It is, therefore, very desirable to have always at hand a table of correct measures. Indeed, when the table is perfect, it is much more convenient and easier to prepare the proper proportions by measuring than by weighing, only one must use care and judgment to allow for any extraordinary moisture in the articles, as it would affect a measure more than scales. It is always better to put flour, meal, sugar, etc., near the fire to dry before measuring.
A table of measures, plainly printed in good-sized type, should be hung over the table or on the wall in every kitchen.
We close with a convenient table of liquid and dry measure:—
Liquid.
| 60 drops | = 1 teaspoonful. |
| 2 teaspoonfuls | = 1 table-spoonful. |
| 4 table-spoonfuls | = 1 half-gill. |
| 8 ” | = 1 gill. |
| 2 gills | = 1 tumblerful or half-pint. |
| 2 tumblerfuls | = 1 pint. |
| 2 pints | = 1 quart. |
| 4 quarts | = 1 gallon. |
Dry.
| 2 even teaspoonfuls | = 1 even table-spoonful. |
| 4” table-spoonfuls | = 1 ounce. |
| 8” ” | = 1 gill. |
| 2 gills | = 1 tumblerful or half-pint. |
| 2 tumblerfuls | = 1 pint. |
| 2 pints | = 1 quart. |
| 1 heaped q’t sifted flour | }= about 1 pound. |
| 1” ”sugar | |
| 1 even q’t softened butter | |
| 1 pint of water | = 1 pound. |
| 10 eggs | = about 1 pound. |
XLIII.
TEACHING LITTLE GIRLS TO SEW.
“YES, I suppose I shall be obliged to teach my little girl to sew, some time; but I am very thankful that I have some years yet before I need take up this cross. I supply her with bits of cloth, needles, thread, and scissors, and let her amuse herself with an attempt at sewing; but how I dread the time when I must begin in earnest, and try to teach her the proper way! I sometimes hope that by letting her botch and play sewing, by and by, as she sees me making even seams, and taking small stitches, she will, by imitation and observation, gradually learn, without much effort on my part. Do you not think that she may?”
Never. No doubt some children learn with much less effort than others; but by letting your little girl “play sewing,”—botching as you term it,—you only connive at her acquiring a careless habit which she will not easily exchange for straight seams and tiny stitches.