One new type of stove has the smooth top. It looks not unlike a coal stove. It has no aching voids for things to spill into, nor can pots tip over into the yawning chasms. This saves a lot of needless irritation, which is important with the present high temperaments of cooks and housemaids. This stove stands 38″ from the ground. THE TOP An interesting feature is that the whole top becomes heated and is usable, whereas in the ordinary four-burner top only four utensils can be used at once. This top is connected with a flue which draws the heat, so that there is no waste of gas. If necessary, the lids can be raised and the flame from the burner will just tip the utensil, the proper position for flames. The oven in this range is so planned that it can be opened from the bottom with either hand. Another stove has a top that is semi-smooth and semi-spider, allowing you both systems. Should a vessel spill over in the “smooth top,” the top catches the overflow and it is simply washed off instead of the usual pulling out of the tray and the messed-up burner plate, which must be scraped and cleaned. This range is made tall and narrow, ready for the small as well as the large kitchen. All gas stoves to-day have the automatic lighter, which gives you freedom from the use of matches and makes gas nearly as convenient as electricity. Of course, gas is hotter in the summer than electricity, and to obviate this many of the stove makers produce marvelously contrived combination ranges of gas and electricity. [Illustration: _Courtesy of Vulcan Stove Co._ THE SMOOTH TOP 38″ GAS RANGE TAKES THE STOOP OUT OF STOOPID COOKERY] Some stoves have plate warmers above and some have a shelf open and available on which to warm dishes, which also makes a convenient rack for dishes while the rest of the meal is cooking. Nearly all stoves are equipped with broiler chamber, baking oven and wire shelves. One, particularly convenient, has, instead of the two full-sized shelves in the large oven, one shelf divided into two pieces, allowing for more elasticity in placing different dishes in the oven. In the stove which has the oven heat-regulating device, there are many of the fireless cooker features with some of its drawbacks eliminated. For example, it has no thick walls which eventually become impregnated with odors of past meals; the time in pot watching is eliminated; you can do other work and yet be sure that your cooking is being done well. So much of the cooking can be done in the oven that fewer burners are necessary. This type is made in sizes varying from 35″ wide and upward. REGULATING HEAT