A swinging shelf--double or single--held by supports at the four
corners, securely nailed to the joists of the floor above, is almost
indispensable to the convenience of the cellar. It should be about
three feet wide and from six to eight feet in length, and may be
covered on three sides with galvanized wire fly netting, the fourth
side to have double frame doors, also wire-covered, and swinging
outward. Ordinary cotton netting can he used instead of the wire, and
is of course cheaper, but must he renewed each year, while the wire
will last indefinitely. And so we have evolved a cool, flyless place
for our pans of milk, meats, cooked and uncooked, fresh vegetables,
cakes, pastry, etc. If poultry or meat is to be hung here for a little
while, wrap it in brown paper or unbleached muslin. Wash the shelves
once a week with sal soda water and dry thoroughly.

A windowless closet as far as possible from the furnace, and best built
under some small extension, thus giving it three cool stone walls, is
the place where preserves and jellies keep best. Label each jar and
glass distinctly and arrange in rows on the shelves, taller ones
behind, shorter in front. If there is no closet of this kind, a
cupboard, standing firmly on the floor, can easily be built, for
preserves must have darkness as well as coolness; otherwise they are
apt to turn dark and to ferment. The shelves of the fruit closet must
be examined frequently for traces of that stickiness which tells that
some bottle of fruit is "working" and leaking. Pickles keep better in
crocks on the cellar bottom.

Laundry tubs and scrub pails are usually kept, bottom up, in the
cellar. All articles stored there should be well wrapped in strong
paper and securely tied, and it will be found a great convenience,
especially at cleaning time, to hang many things from the ceiling