by Ernest Thompson Seton
Colonial Housekeeper
(Gaiat)
The Degree of Colonial Housekeeper may be conferred on any one who takes twelve of these tests
1. Gather bayberries and make four candles dipped or moulded, each six inches long, for the Four Fires.
2. Leach the ashes and make a pint of soft soap.
3. Dye evenly four pieces of material not less than half a yard each of four different colors, or four skeins of yarn. Dyes may be bought.
4. Dye twelve squares of felt or white flannel each about 4 x 4 inches, each a different color with stuff found in the woods, such as butternut bark, golden oak, sassafras, goldenrod tops, pokeberries, etc. (Tea and coffee allowed.)
5. Make a lavender box, i. e., grow, gather, dry and use the lavender in a clothes chest. Same for lemon verbena (tripolium.)
6. Gather and make marigold salve (calendula) or prunella salve (self-heal) or witchhazel salve.
7. Gather sassafras leaves and make a gumbo soup.
8. Gather the sap and make of it a pound of sugar, either from maple or other sugar trees.
9. Brew sage tea, mullein tea, boneset tea, catnip tea, camomile tea, and ginger tea.
10. Dry, corn, spice, salt, or otherwise preserve three kinds of meat or fish for household larder.
11. Dry five quarts of fruit, or vegetables for winter use.
12. Knit or crochet any usable article of wearing apparel.
13. Spin enough cotton, flax, wool, or hemp to make five yards of stuff or half a dozen pair of socks.
14. Weave 2 1/2 yards of cloth or rag carpet, rug or bedspread.
15. Cut, select, sew, ball, and arrange for the making of a good rag carpet 2 1/2 yards long.
16. Make single-handed a rag rug, braided or hooked.
17. Make applique quilt or patchwork quilt.
18. Make a grandmother's sampler.
For "How To" Information, See: The Birch Bark Roll
