In connection with this a word does not come amiss as to the superior attractiveness of nickel bath-room fittings, or of those of the kitchen or butler’s pantry, when they are kept bright and clean, over those which are suffered to lapse into dinginess. When the nickel coating is hopelessly scoured off it is not a serious matter to have the fittings done over and made to look like new. The whole care of the bath-room deserves more attention than it usually receives. Soiled towels and wet wash-cloths should not be flung down here and there, or stray medicine-bottles and medicine-boxes left in untidy rows on the shelves. The medicine-cabinet should be kept in order; the towels and wash-cloths folded neatly and hung up after using; clean towels in plenty in readiness for the chance guest; the soap-dish should be scoured scrupulously as often as once a day. Of course it takes time to do these little things, but their presence or absence marks the difference between the good and the careless housekeeper. Washing-soda has another use beyond that of keeping drain-pipes clear. A solution of it is excellent for washing out the ice-box or refrigerator. This process should take place at least once a week. When this is said it is not meant that the ice-box should not be cleared out oftener than that. A new piece of ice should not go into it if there is a possibility of bits of food of any sort having been left in the corners or cracks of the ice-chamber. Daily inspection of the contents of the refrigerator will make sure that all food in it is keeping well and is sweet and fresh. In most well-made refrigerators of the day the shelves are so built that they can be slipped in and out. By this plan they can be scrubbed clean and the sides of the refrigerator can also be scoured off, as would not be feasible with non-detachable shelves. After it has been made clean a few pieces of charcoal should be laid in the corners. This will keep the place sweet by absorbing the odors from food, and every few days the fragments of charcoal should be thrown out and new ones put in their place. Even with this care the ice-box will sometimes get a close smell; at such times a small shovel should be made nearly red-hot, a little ground coffee sprinkled upon it, and this put into the refrigerator for a few minutes. It should be understood by every housekeeper that butter, milk, and cream should never be kept near strong-smelling articles of food. They absorb the odors and taste of the items they have been with. Milk is usually kept in open dishes or pans for those who wish to get the full good of the cream which rises to the surface, and nothing else except other milk products or perhaps fresh eggs should be permitted near it.