INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER



The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all
the fragments, so that nothing be lost. I mean fragments of _time_,
as well as _materials_. Nothing should be thrown away so long as it
is possible to make any use of it, however trifling that use may be;
and whatever be the size of a family, every member should be employed
either in earning or saving money.

'Time is money.' For this reason, cheap as stockings are, it is good
economy to knit them. Cotton and woollen yarn are both cheap; hose
that are knit wear twice as long as woven ones; and they can be done
at odd minutes of time, which would not be otherwise employed. Where
there are children, or aged people, it is sufficient to recommend
knitting, that it is an _employment_.

In this point of view, patchwork is good economy. It is indeed
a foolish waste of time to tear cloth into bits for the sake of
arranging it anew in fantastic figures; but a large family may be kept
out of idleness, and a few shillings saved, by thus using scraps of
gowns, curtains, &c.

In the country, where grain is raised, it is a good plan to teach
children to prepare and braid straw for their own bonnets, and their
brothers' hats.