These rooms are entirely under the management of the housekeeper. The store-room is appropriated as a depository for such imperishable articles of household consumption as are in continual request, and may be laid up, when purchased in quantities,—at times when cheapest,—most in season, or best—to be ready at hand when wanted.
☞ Let every thing, not only here, but all over the house, be kept in its proper place, applied to its proper use, and replaced when worn out or destroyed.
N. B. To save the trouble of referring to different places, for the several methods of storing or preserving many articles which are proper to be kept, we shall insert under this head every thing of this description that may occur to us.
Soap will be the better for keeping—indeed, it should not be used when newly made. The cakes should be cut with a wire or string, into oblong squares, and laid up, on a dry shelf, a little distance apart, and across each other, so as to admit the air betwixt them, to harden it.—This method will save one third. Note,—If dried fast, soap will crack and break when wetted.
Candles and soap made in cold weather, are best; and when the price of these articles are likely to be high, a reasonable stock of both should be laid in.—Candles, if kept packed in a chest, will be the better for keeping eight or ten months, and may be kept well, if necessary, for two years.
Starch should be bought when flour is cheap, and may be kept in a dry warm place, if closely covered, as long as may be necessary.
Loaf Sugars should be kept tied up in paper, and hung up in a dry place. Brown sugars should be kept covered up, and in a moderately dry place.
Sweetmeats, Preserves, &c. must be carefully kept from the air, and in a very dry place.
Teas, Coffee, Chocolate, Dried fruits, and generally, all kinds of Grocery and Condiments require to be kept dry and free from air.
The various kinds of seeds and rice, pearl-barley, oatmeal, &c. must be kept in a dry place, and be covered close, to preserve them from insects.