Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-05-16

BOILING PorAToEs.-I am anxious to add
my experience to that of others about boiling
potatoes. The subject is one that cannot be
discussed too much, because there is nothing
upon our table better than a wel.cooked po-
tato, and nothing less palatable than if bad
ly cooked and yet how seldom do we find
dish Of properly cooked potatoes, even in fam
lilies who are good livers. When they come
to the table smoking hot, with their Jackets"
on, all bursting with the Aoury inside, it is
sight to make dyspeptic good natured, and
never will fail to turn a sullen face into
wreathing smiles. Then let me say few
words about cooking this vegetable, and tell
the way in which have been most success.
full.
To boil potatoes, let them lie in cold waite.
six hours at least, before boiling, Twelve
hours for very old potatoes is not too long,
Then put them in little water, little salt
ed, and the water should be kept at a moder
ate boil till they are done, which should be
tested with fork then pour off the water
and let them stand in the pot till dry. Great
care should be taken not to let them boil
moment after they are done, as it will render
them watery.
An excellent plan to make old potatoes
mealy is to turn them into cloth and rapid
ly shake them about, or take them one at a
time in cloth and slightly press them. The
larger potatoes should be put into the pot be-
fore the smaller ones, that they may be equal
ly done. 1t requires from forty to fifty min
utes to boil old potatoes. New ones will take
about half that time-Cor Germantown TEL
egraph.
Bas- Is there any natural or necessary antag-
onism between culture of the mind and cul-
ture of the soil2 One would think so, to OBJ
serve the stubbornness with which some far
mers resist all efforts to improve the social
life and manners of their households and
neighbors. There is among the farmers an
immense amount of common sense, OF native
mother-wit, sharpened by observation and
broadened by reflection, and of the clear.
headedness and sound heartedness that come
from healthful living and close connection
with nature. But great many Of them are
very much afraid of what are called the re-
6nements of society and the amenities Of So
cial life But We are glad to see that the
stupid, hard, treadmill, ox-like life on the
farm-which for the past generation has been
shriveling up the souls Of men and sending
their wives to the insane asylum, or kind of
refuge in the grave-is giving way to en-
lightened progress in many sections. Farmers
are beginning to seize upon all helps that
promise to improve their social condition.
Farmers clubs debating societies, neighbor-
hood meetings for sociality and comparisons
of experiences, brief winter vacations in the
cities, and even revival Of the old-fashioned
apple-bees, are adding to the social life Of
farming communities. .-GQlden Rule.
HOME CoNyERsATIoN-Child hunger
perpetually for new ideas. They will learn
with pleasure from the lips of parents what
they deem it drudgery to study in books
and even ifthey have the misfortune to be de
prived of educational advantages, they viii
grow up intelligent if they enjoy in childhood
the privilege of listening daily to the conver
sation of intelligent people. We sometimes
see parents who are the life of every company
which they enter, dull, silent and uninterest
ing at home among their children. If they
have not mental activity and mental stories
sufficient for both, let them first use what
they have for their own households. A sien
home is dull place for young people, aplacf
from which they will esca pc if they can. How
much useful information OH the other hand
is often given in pleasant family conversation
and what unconscious but excellent menta
.r.;,;nr in liyalv soc;al arsument Cultivats