EDITOR'S PORTFOLIO. HOLYOKE, MASS., AND NEW YORK CITY, APRIL 3, 1886. All communications for the Editorial Department should be addressed to the Editor of GooD HOUSEKEEPING, Holyoke, Mass. Postage stamps must accompany all contributions sent for editorial consideration, when the writers desire the return of their MSS., if not accepted. This issue of GooD HOUSEKEEPING is copyrighted, but our exchanges are invited to copy from its columns-due credit being given-as they may desire, save the contributions of MISS MARIA PARLOA, all rights in these being especially reserved to the writer. The special papers which appear in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING will be written expressly for its pages by our selected contributors, and,-with rare exceptions, the entire Table of Contents will be served up from our own larder. Whenever we borrow from a neighbor a bit of this or a bite of that, we shall say where such bit or bite came from, and to whom it belongs. To ALL NEWSDEALERS. Retail Newsdealers can send their orders for GOOD HOUSEKEEPING to the News Companies from which they procure their regular supplies and have them filled. It will be furnished regularly by the following companies: American News Co., International News Co., National News Co., New York News Co., New York; American News Co., Denver, Kansas City, Omaha and St. Paul; Brooklyn News Co., and Williamsburg News Co., Brooklyn; Baltimore News Co., Baltimore: Central News Co., Philadelphia; Cincinnati News Co., Cincinnati Cleveland News Co., Cleveland; New England News Co., Boston; Western News Co., Chicago; Pittsburg News Co., Pittsburg; Washington News Co., Washington, D. C.; Newark News Co., Newark; St. Louis News Co., St. Louis: New Orleans News Co., New Orleans; San Francisco News Co., San Francisco; Rhode Island News Co., Providence; Albany News Co., Albany; Northern News Co., Troy; Detroit News Co., Detroit; Montreal News Co., Montreal; Toronto News Co., Toronto and Clifton, Canada. CONTRIBUTORS TO GOOD HOUSEKEEPING WILL PLEASE NOTE NOW AND FOR ALL COMING TIME. That-All contributions for publication will be considered and passed upon at the editor's earliest convenience after being re ceived That-Accepted manuscripts will be printed at such time as the subject matter of each paper may be found pertinent and proper in context with other papers of same issue, to the end that"Variety, which is the spice of life," and an appetizing seasoning as well to our Bills of Fare-may be successfully introduced That-GOOD HOUSEKEEPING has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumference, that it makes it a necessity to put "copy" into the hands of its printers, for each number, four weeks before the date of issue, in order that remote subscribers and newsmen may have their copies in hand and on sale a few days before the publication date— That-Each contribution will be paid for by check bearing even date with the issue of the number in which the contribution is published That-A return of a manuscript does not necessarily imply that it is not meritorious, or that it would not be accepted by publications of a different nature, or an editor of different ideas from our own That-A return of a manuscript with a printed slip announcing its non-appearance on the ground of not being available, or for the reason that the editorial hopper is full and running over, is simply a necessity of circumstance and not a discourtesy in any sense of the term That-To write a letter of explanation with every returned manuscript would require more time than a busy editor has at disposal and would be a ruinous tax upon both time and labor That-Writers who may wish to have their manuscripts returned in case of non-acceptance, must enclose return postage with their communications. TEACHING HOME WORK. Notwithstanding the progress that has been made in the teaching of housekeeping arts to girls and young women in this country, greater progress has been made in Europe. There, the subject receives more devoted attention among those who give any attention at all, and the interest is more pervading than it is here. The most practical and efficient system is the German. Every girl in Germany goes into a family corresponding to her station in life, after leaving school, be she the daughter of nobleman, officer or small official. Those who are rich go where they are paid highly. The service lasts at least a year, so that the full routine of the year's work is learned. These girls are taught everything, from washing dishes, sweeping and polishing floors, starching and ironing, dusting and cleaning ornaments, cooking, laying the table, waiting, polishing the silver and glass, to decorating the table with flowers and fruits. Great is the ambition of the pupil to learn that her taste and management are the best. Combined with these duties are those of keeping the household linen in repair and learning plain sewing. Though the pupils have to learn everything, servants are kept and in turn are taught by the advanced pupils, who have learned from the mother of the family. The labors of the day for these girls are over at midday, that being the dinner time, when she has liberty for study, needlework or amusement till time for preparing supper. This is the way, it is said, that German housewives have received their domestic education. It is no wonder, then, that there should be excellent housekeeping in that country, where comfort is combined with economy and the pleasure of having everything clean, tidy and agreeable. The superior advantage of this system is its practical nature, in which everything learned is a direct means to an end. It is superior to a school in its practical thoroughness, but is inferior in the respect that the pupil is not brought in contact with the more progressive ideas of the schools. The pupil in the family will have the more complete practice of housekeeping as it is found on the average; the school pupil will excel her in special lines, but, without actual domestic service, will be inferior in general housekeeping. The best training would seem to be a combination of the two. Instruction in practical cookery is now a part of the system in all the public schools of London, writes Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton in her "Social Studies in England." For advanced classes there are twenty-one practice kitchens in various parts of the city, and the kitchens in all number about fifty. During a recent half year the cost of the materials of all these cookery centers amounted to about $2,850 and the sums received for the food amounted to $2,980. The managers used to get their teachers from South Kensington, but now they have a class for the training of teachers. This system is fully established and in good working order all over lower class London. There is a London Cookery School where the prepared food is offered for sale. The "Plain Cookery Demonstration," for which each pupil pays 25 cents each lesson, is followed by a dinner where every one can get a good meal for 12 to 18 cents. The "High Class Cookery Demonstration" is given for 37 cents a lesson. The most prominent of the English schools is the National Training School for Cookery at South Kensington; it was maintained by subscriptions, donations and fees until the government gave it, in 1873, the use of a building and in 1874 an endowment. In 1875 a school of cookery was formed in Edinburgh, which has been very successful. Evening classes for cheap cooking were established with an attendance of nearly 1,000 persons. Rhoda and Agnes Garrett of London were the first to establish the business of house decoration by women. Ten years ago these ladies, after three years of study under an architect, one of them also learning business for a year under her father, determined to devote their energies to practical art. They superintend the decoration of interiors and take apprentices. Even in Japan attention is given to education in domestic affairs, but, as might be expected from the excessive development of ceremonial institutions in that country, the instruction is in etiquette. In schools, girls are taught how to walk, how to enter a room, how to sit, how to stand, how to eat, how to receive a guest, how to carry a candlestick, how to present a bunch of flowers and many similar things, and no matter what a young lady's other attainments may be, if she cannot pass a cup of tea in the conventional manner she is looked upon as a rustic. GOOD WORDS FOR GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING is true to its claim of being "conducted in the interests of the Higher Life of the Household " and deserves to prosper.-Popular Science News. It is only a question of time when GOOD HOUSEKEEPING will be as necessary in every well regulated household as the family cook stove.-Hudson (N. Y.) Republican. Certainly with such a text-book as GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, our homes must be made more attractive and our food more wholesome.-Every Evening, Wilmington, Del. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING improves with each number, and that is saying a great deal, for it began with a high standard of excellence. All these movements toward improving housekeeping, found in one form and another in all parts of the civilized world, are sustained by a common underlying principle, and that is the dependence of human welfare on well ordered home affairs, on domestic-Gazette and Courier, Northampton, Mass. intelligence and abundant information regarding the household. The women who make home life better than it is, verily do an incalculable service toward raising the civilization of their race. But they get neither public nor private credit for it. They toil on in blind obedience to duty, doing what few men would do without greater rewards than they get. What man does for civilization is largely apparent, but there is an invisible transmutation of woman's work and influence into the sum of organized human happiness. The day of acknowledgment is too long delayed. One of the quick successes of “specialty magazines" is GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. It has sprung into favor with a bound and it deserves success,-Home Weekly, Wilmington, Del. LIBRARY LEAFLETS. HEALTH AND BEAUTY. A book like this should fall into the hands of all women who want to preserve, "if still theirs, or to bring back if lost, their crowning glory, Health-and therefore Beauty." The author, Emily S. Bouton, household editor of the Toledo Blade, speaks particularly to young girls, who are commonly so careless with their health; and, moreover, she believes from reason and from experience that a large proportion of those women who are hopelessly suffering, may, with perseverance, receive health and vigor by following the simple directions contained in this volume. The range of the work is quite wide, covering as it does, eating and all digestive functions, the care of the teeth, temperance in eating, changes of diet, exercise, coughs and colds and their management, thinning and fattening processes, old people and the little ones, ventilation and drainage, bathing, sleeping, clothing, recreation, ears, eyes, hands, feet, hair, skin, nursing the sick, accidents and emergencies, and, besides, many kindred topics. Toledo: Locke Publishing Co. RECIPES FOR THE SICK ROOM Compiled by Dr. Charles Everett Warren, is to furnish directions for the preparation of articles of diet, so that any one can prepare food for the sick, and thus carry out this important part of the treatment of disease intelligently. Three editions will be issued; one in book form, a second in ticket form, a number of duplicate recipes on coupons; third an edition printed on Japanese paper napkins. The compiler solicits recipes and suggestions from physicians and nurses, and others interested, and will give due credit for all material used. Soon to be published by the compiler, 51 Union Park, Boston. NOTE. "Hints and Helps for Home Nursing and Hygiene,” is a handbook for all who have to do with sickness, arranged according to the syllabus of the nursing course of lectures prepared by St. John's Ambulance Association, London, by Dr. E. MacDowel Cosgrave. Price 25 cents. Sold by Dr. Charles Everett Warren, 51 Union Park, Boston. One of the very finest publications in this country is GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. It is just what any housekeeper needs, and what none can afford to dispense with.-Central Methodist. We take pleasure in indorsing GOOD HOUSEKEEPING as the best help to a housekeeper we have ever seen, besides being filled with entertaining matter of all sorts.-Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING continues to serve its readers a delightful Bill of Fare. It is a most useful journal for the household, and a subscription to it is a matter of economy.-American Artisan. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING is too excellent a magazine to be passed by by any housekeeper, for in every issue one gets much more than his money's worth of the most useful information.-New Bedford (Mass.) Daily Mercury. The constant improvement in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING indicates that this magazine is no longer an experiment, but has found the place in the literary and domestic world which it came to fill.— Indianapolis Daily Journal. The more GOOD HOUSEKEEPING is read, the better it will be for the comfort and convenience of American firesides. The articles are all short and suggestive. All the writers have something good to say and when they say it they stop.—Goodall's Chicago Daily Sun. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING is the best magazine of its kind in existence; in fact, it is the only one of its kind; it is unique. Cooking. eating, drinking, sleeping, manners, domestic sanitation, household decoration-these and kindred topics are treated from all standpoints.-Baltimore (Md.) Manufacturers' Record. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING maintains the excellence of its earlier issues, and improves with every number. Catherine Owen's "Ten Dollars Enough," is a practical lesson in housekeeping on that sum per week, which most housekeepers would find excellent reading. It is one of the best of family journals.-Zion's Herald. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING is, by all odds, the best of its class that has appeared for years. Its merits are such that it has leaped into instant circulation, and, to-day, already outranks a score of very much older publications in point of auditors. It is clear and practical, is ably edited and handsomely printed, employs the best talent in its particular field in the country, and publishes matter that is of interest to every woman who aims to be a good housekeeper-a noble ambition.—Rural Californian. A PAGE OF FUGITIVE VERSE. GATHERED HERE AND THERE. AFTER WORK. The workmen throng the crowded street, The quick tread of their hurrying feet. All day they worked with willing hearts. And sweet content their toil was blessed, Now tender thoughts of peaceful homes Make sweeter still the time for rest. The heavy shadows denser fall, They fill a narrow, dreary room, O'er fold of silk or film of lace- Walked two with slow delaying feet, Why, hurrying home they chanced to meet. Through parted curtains as they pass, Round hearths where ruddy firelight gleams, And children's smiling faces bend, They see the future of their dreams. The clear depths of her earnest eyes, In hesitating whispers told, The story that is always newThe end of which was only thisThat one henceforth should work for two. -Mary H. Krout. TWO PAIRS OF BOOTS. Their heavy tramp at play. They walk about the new plowed ground, And then at night upon the floor Beyond life's toils and cares, Its hopes and joy, its weariness and sorrow, Beyond time's troubled stream, No aching hearts are there, No tear-dimmed eye, no form by sickness wasted, No cheek grown pale through penury or care, No spirits crushed beneath the woes they bear, No sighs for bliss untasted. No sad farewell is heard, No lonely wail for loving ones departed, No long, dark night is there, The glorious light of heaven! No mortal eye hath seen The glories of that land beyond the river, Its crystal lakes, its fields of living green, Its fadeless flowers and the unchanging sheen, Around the throne forever. Man hath not heard the song Of rapturous praise within the shining portal; No man of heart hath dreamed what joys belong To that redeemed and happy blood-washed throng, All glorious and immortal. - Unidentified. WHAT A VOICE SAID. "Each seemed so like a human thing, "Unstable as the drifting sands Sweeter than music, low and calm, "Royalty bides not in a crown Their households watch with care, Let Kate and Rose each take her turn, Let Mary once with Jane forego Their pleasant carriage drive, [saved, $5] And help dear Sister Abbie sew; [earned, Thus save and double five Let Susie save her furs with care, 6.00 $5-] 10.00 THE THREE LITTLE CHAIRS. They sat alone by the bright wood fire, The gray-haired dame and the aged sire, Dreaming of days gone by; The tear-drops fell on each wrinkled cheek, For their sad and tearful eyes descried In the small dark room up stairs." That the children went away; "So let them stand, though empty now, ---Unidentified. SEASONABLE TABLE SUPPLIES. [Gathered from New York Markets, expressly for GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.] BY MRS. F. A. BENSON. FISH. Fine weather has made fish plentiful, and there is a prospect that it will daily grow abundant and lower in price. The ice embargo, that made it so difficult to obtain shell-fish has been raised, and oysters and clams are to be had in full quantity. Soft-shell clams are at their best during March. These, known as "In-shell clams are now appearing, very large, and plump, and of rich flavor; they weigh half a pound each and cost $2.50 a hundred. Oregon salmon are running of great size, many weighing 48 pounds each; they sell for 30 and 35 cents a pound. North River shad are behind time this season, their usual first appearance being St. Patrick's day. North Carolina shad weigh seven pounds and cost $1 for roe-shad and 50 cents for bucks; shad roes are 35 cents a pair. California Rainbow trout remain at standard price, $1.50 a pound for those alive and $1.25 a pound for those dead. White bait are extremely fine and 35 cents a pound. Florida shrimp are a delicacy of the market; they cost $2 a gallon. Cray fish are $2.50 a gallon, Scollops cost $2.50 a gallon, and Prauns are $2 a gallon. Frogs' legs are again in market, and are plump and prime; they are 75 cents a dozen. Crab meat has raised to 50 cents a pound; hard-shell crabs cost $3 a hundred. Rockaway oysters are considered at present the finest; they are 75 cents a hundred for "cullings" or stewing oysters, and the same for the very small ones suitable for eating on the half shell. What is known as "Box" size, or extra large stewing oysters are $1.50 a hundred, and frying size are $2 a hundred. Live cod is 7 cents, and codfish steaks are 10 cents a pound. Haddock is 6 cents a pound; haddock roes are 11 cents a pound. Striped bass are 25 cents a pound; eels cost 18 cents a pound, and lobster 20 cents a pound. Fresh mackerel are frozen and to cents a pound; Spanish mackerel are also frozen and 35 cents a pound. Red Snappers are large and abundant and cost 15 cents a pound. Nova Scotia herring are 5 cents each. In fresh water fish we have salmon trout bringing 122 cents a pound and whitefish and pickerel at 15 cents a pound. Halibut is 18 cents a pound, and chicken halibut is 20 cents a pound. Sheepshead are also 20 cents a pound. Terrapin of all kinds are very scarce; Southern terrapin cost $15 a dozen, and Diamond-back terrapin $42 a dozen. Green turtle are 23 cents a pound. Smelts bring from 10 to 25 cents a pound. SALTED AND SMOKED FISH. There is a full supply of small-sized salt mackerel on the benches at 15 and 20 cents a pound, but large, fat mackerel as "Extra Shore No. 1" are scarce and 25 cents a pound. Smoked eels are 25 cents a pound; these are large selected eels, and are cooked in curing so as not to require cooking again. New Oregon steel-head smoked salmon is 60 cents a pound; Nova Scotia smoked salmon is 50 cents a pound; salt salmon costs 20 cents a pound. Finnan Haddies bring 12 cents, smoked halibut costs 20 cents, smoked sturgeon is 20 cents, and smoked shad is 15 cents a pound. There is a fresh arrival of English Yarmouth Bloaters that sell for 50 cents a dozen. Kippered herring and Dutch herring are 50 cents a dozen. Salted tongues and sounds cost 15 cents a pound. English sprats are 10 cents a bunch. Pickled lobsters are 25 cents a pound. MEATS. The quality of beef is excellent, but veal is not yet satisfactory. Prime rib roasts are 20 cents a pound; porter house roasts are 28 cents, and porter house steak 25 and 28 cents a pound. There are about ten pounds in each side of beef, lying next to the hip, that sell for 30 cents a pound; this cut contains the largest portion of filet. Sirloin steak is 20 cents a pound, and round bone steak is 18 cents a pound; flat bone steak is 20 cents a pound. Fresh rump beef is 15 cents, and filet beef is 60 cents a pound. Help roast is 15 cents a pound. Leg beef is 7 cents a pound. Plate and navel corned beef is 10 cents, and rump corned beef is 12 and 15 cents a pound. Beef liver is 8 cents a pound. Kidneys are 15 cents each. Loin veal is 24 cents, and leg veal is 22 cents a pound; veal cutlet is 28 cents a pound; breast veal is 15 cents a pound, shoulder is also 15 cents, and ribs are 22 cents a pound. Calf's heads are 60 cents; calf's haslet is 75 cents, and calf's feet are 10 cents each. Sweet-breads cost from 15 to 40 cents each. Hot-house lambs bring $4 for hind quarters, and $3.50 for fore-quarters; it is exceedingly delicious eating. Hind-quarters of winter lamb are 16 cents, and fore-quarters are 12 cents a pound. Leg and rack chops are 16 cents a pound. Shoulder and breast lamb is 8 cents a pound, and rib and loin chops cost 25 cents a pound. Mutton is 12 cents a pound; hind-quarters of mutton is 15 cents, forequarters is to cents, and back chops are 20 cents a pound. Leg chops cost 15 cents, and saddle of mutton 20 cents a pound. English mutton chops cost 25 cents a pound; there are two chops to the pound, these are cut so thick. "French" mutton chops are 20 cents a pound. POULTRY AND GAME. The supply of hot-house, broiling chickens is larger than ever before. They are $1.50 a pair. Long Island and New York state broilers are $1.25 a pair. Maryland chickens have just appeared. These weigh one pound each and are delicate in flavor and tender. They are $1.25 a pair, but will soon decline in price. In summer, when they cost 50 cents a pair, they are the most economical breakfast broilers. Philadelphia spring roasting chickens cost 20 cents a pound. Long Island roasters are 16 cents a pound. Stewing chickens and scalded fowls are 12 cents a pound. Buck's County fowls cost 16 cents a pound. Ducks are 18 cents, and ducklings 20 cents a pound. Goslings are 20 cents, geese are 16 cents, and mongrel geese 25 cents a pound. Rhode Island and mutton-fed turkeys bring 20 cents a pound. Western turkeys are 14 cents, and New York state turkeys 16 cents a pound. Wild turkeys bring 25 cents a pound. Squabs cost $6 a dozen for large ones and $3 for small, or "dark" ones. Wild pigeons are $2.50 a dozen, and those stable-fed cost $3.50 a dozen. English snipe bring $4.50 a dozen. Bay snipe are the first of the shore birds expected next month. Corn plover cost $1.50 a dozen. Small snipe and small birds bring $t a dozen. Rice birds and corn snipe cost $1.25 a dozen. English golden pheasants are $3.50 a brace. Guina fowls are $1.50 a pair, Wild geese cost $1 each, and wild swans $1.50 each. Canvas-back ducks from Havre de Grace are $3.50, and those from Virginia cost $2.50 a brace. Red-head ducks from these localities are $2.50 and $2 a brace. Mallard ducks bring $1 a brace. Black and gray ducks cost 75 cents a brace. Teal are 87 cents a brace. Broad-bill and black-head ducks are 62 cents a brace. Widgeons are 75 cents, and dippers 50 cents a brace. BUTTER, EGGS, CHEESE. Limed eggs have disappeared from market. There is a glut of fresh eggs from all directions. They cost from 16 to 20 cents a dozen. Duck eggs are 40 and 50 cents a dozen, and goose eggs are $1 a dozen. The best butter is 38 cents. Good creamery butter costs 35 cents, and from that down to 23 cents a pound. Philadelphia print butter is 38 cents a pound. Fullcream domestic cheese holds firm at 14 cents a pound. Pineapple cheese costs 50 cents and $1 each, according to size. "English" cheese made in this country is 20 cents a pound. Parmesan cheese is 40 cents a pound. This is the best kind to use grated in cooking. Edam cheeses are go cents each. Stilton cheese is 40 and 50 cents a pound. Brie is 35 cents a pound. Chedder cheese brings 30 cents a pound, and Gruyère is 25 cents a pound. VEGETABLES. Mushrooms are so plentiful that they have declined to 70 cents a quart. Florida green peas cost $1 a half peck. Bermuda potatoes are scarce and very dear-they are $10 a barrel and $1.25 a peck. Charleston asparagus is very fine and large; bunches weighing two pounds cost $1.25. Florida asparagus is $1 a bunch. Florida tomatoes cost 50 cents a quart. Brussels sprouts are scarce and bring 25 cents a quart for those domestic and 40 cents for those imported. The best celery brings 20 cents a bunch. Beets are 13 cents a quart. Lettuce is 7 cents a head. Onions are 8 and 15 cents a quart. Bermuda onions cost 25 cents a quart. Florida cauliflowers cost from 10 to 50 cents each. Extra potatoes are 30 cents a peck. Sweet potatoes are 50 cents a peck. Green peppers are 35 cents a dozen. French artichokes are 25 cents each. Havana string beans are $1 a half peck. Cranberries are to cents a quart. Parsnips cost 25 cents a dozen. Three bunches of rhubarb are sold for 25 cents. Boston hot-house cucumbers cost 30 and 35 cents each. FRUIT. California fruit growers for this market anticipate a large crop. California oval seedless oranges bring 75 cents a dozen. Florida oranges are juiceless and poor and are not in brisk demand. Mandarins and Tangarines are nearly out of market. "Old" Jamaica fruit is acceptable at this time. There are two crops of Jamaica oranges annually. The spring crop that lasts through the summer is very tart. These oranges are just appearing. There is some of the "old" fruit on hand which is very rich and swab, at 40 and 50 cents a dozen. Valencia oranges are 25 and 30 cents a dozen. Messina blood oranges bring 40 cents a dozen. Havana grape fruit which is more highly esteemed than that from Florida is now in market and at $1 a dozen. A few hot-house grapes appear at $5.50 a pound. Malaga grapes are daily becoming dearer and poorer; they cost from 30 to 60 cents a pound. Catawba grapes continue prime selling three pounds for 35 cents. California pears in cold storage are sound and delicious; they are the Winter Nellis and Easter Beurre varieties and bring from $1.50 to $2 a dozen. Yellow bananas bring from 25 to 40 cents a dozen. Red bananas from 30 to 50 cents a dozen. Havana pineapples cost 50 cents each-they are large and luscious. Florida strawberries are $3 and $4 a quart. New prunelles are 25 cents a pound. Amber dates cost 35 cents a pound. Fard dates are 15 cents, and Syrian dates bring 30 cents for boxes containing one pound and a half. The apple supply continues excellent at unchanged prices. |