Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-22


tiOns OF Jet and braid and beads, which add
enormously to the weight of our clothes and the
length of our bills, and so little to the grace of
our persons. Dressmakers will always thrive
and multiply, but unless we come to the rescue.
lace threatens to die out The old and middle
aged dentellieres will go on weaving their deli
cate tracery to the end but, as many of them
said to me, "We will not bring up our children
to make Lace it is too i'll paid; they will do
better in service, or helping us in the fields -
And so we may live to see the lace made to-day
sold in the bric-a-bac shops amongst curiosities
that are out Of date.
THE CHRISTMAS BIRD.
Our National Turkey Some Poins.
About Him.
From the Philadelphia Star.
Our national bird is not so much the eagle
which few of US ever see, except at the Zoo. or
rarer still, on the gold pieces-but the more
savory, the more festive turkey. The turkey
may not soar so high in patriotic sense, but
he touches the national heart more tenderly,
especially at this Christmas time. when men are
so susceptible to the tenderest influences of
life.
Some writer's assert that turkeys were known
to the ancients; but writer in the New York
Era tells us this is an error. 1t is a nice ques-
u
France and when. The honor has been as
crbed to Jaques CGur, the treasurer of Charles
VII; but this is a mistake. According to Cham
pier the turkey was only known in France
just prior to 1850. Brillat Sayarin thinks
that the turkey was introduced in Eu-
rope toward the end of the seventeenth CEN
fury, and that it was brought from America by
the Jesuits, who bred them on a farm near
BOurges. Men. says Savarian, who pretend to
be wiser than their betters. have asserted that
the turkey was known to the Romans that it
was served up at the marriage of Charlemagne
and that it is incorrect to attribute to the Jesuits
the honor OF this sayOry importation. In many
parts of France jesuite is a familiar name for
turkey. The very name in the French language
would seem to attest its American origin. for
this country was formerly designated Indies Oc-
cidentals-hence dindOn. Besides this is the
only country where the turkey is found wild.
A turkey in prime condition, properly cooked.
Is dish of which few persons refuse to partake.
The young hen turkey plump and fat is usually
preferred; though young tom, being larger,
and weighing from ten to fifteen pounds, can
hardly be surpassed when well roasted. Tie
old turkey is best for b0nng, and is excellent
when boiled. Wild turkeys are always to be
found i'm the markets during the winter season.
Their flesh is darker than the tame, and have a
gamey taste. Capon turkey, however. is the
most delicious of all, being more tender succu-
lent and finer favored. A turkey gobbler two
years and eight months old, was presented to
Mr.. Buchanan at his Inauguration, says Colonel
Devoe, which weighed thirty-four pounds. He
was not served up at the Inauguration, but was
left to strut around the garden of the Presi-
dental mansion, much to the terror of the
small boys who ventured into the enclosure.
He was doubtless looked upon as member of
the kitchen cabinet. Another turkey sent to
President Johnson for his New Years table,
january, 1866, although not quite two years
fort do E,,n~ lla,
it is said, received portion of it, and what
they did not eat that day the cook next morn
ing fried.
Not every one, however, knows how to fry
turkey: Cut in neat pieces the remains of the
turkey, make batter of beaten eggs and fine
bread crumbs, seasoned with pepper, salt. and
pounded mace or nutmeg, add a few sprigs Of
parsley minted; dip the pieces of turkey into
this and fry them light brown. Take good
gravy, thickened with flour and butter, and fla
vored with mushroom catsup. and pour over
them. Serve with sippets and sliced lemon.
Few breakfast dishes are more delicious.
''There is one thing to be said about turkeys"
said farmer on Market street yesterday to a
Star representative, land that is they don't
tougher in proportion to their age; like other
kinds OF poultry. Some ladies come to me, and
are very particular to ask for young turkeys
But no turkey will taste right if it is eaten soon
after it is killed. 1t ought to be kept some
days, II the weather is cold enough
Removing and Transplantimg Shrubs.
Attention to the following simple rules will,
says Sylvia's Home Journal, insure success in
the removal and transplanting of ornamental
shrubs, &c, work which can be better done
during this month than at any other time
Never attempt transplanting in wet. sloppy
weather and let holes be prepared in the new
ground before the plants are removed from the
old. Be careful that these holes are wide
enough and deep enough, and that the bottom
soil is broken up and well soaked with water.
In taking up any large shrub, bind the lower
branches to the stem with straw bands to pre-
vent injury, dig deep trench around it, some
little distance from the stem, release the surface
roots as the work goes on. but do not cut them
more than necessary; reduce the ball OF earth if
too heavy for removal by the use of a
fork. If possible always set shrubs
in their new situations in just the same aspect
as they before occupied. When filling in the
soil spread the root we'll out in layers, avoiding
all trampiing OF treading tit is not only I'M
necessary but injurious, and copiOus watering
when the operation is finished will settle the
soil far better around the root of the newly
planted shrub. Use stout stakes for supports;
three. if the shrub be large and tall. If these
instructions be carefully attended to, no further
watering will be needed, but if the season is
likely to prove dry one, some litter or half
rotted dung may be placed round the roots upon
the surface of the soil. Perpetuals, and indeed
roses of all sorts, whether on their own roots or
as standards, may be safely moved in October or
November. If we would have fine flowers, this
removal ought to be carried out with all roses
every fifth or sixth year. A change of soil is
highly beneficial, and if this cannot be had by a
change Of situation it must be gained by a
thorough renovation of the old spot. Roses
delight in fresh rich soil, and fine flowers can
only be obtained by very liberal treatment.
A Plea for Honest Industry.
An honest artisan is in'his way as much to be
respected as physician or lawyer. Only a
pernicious pride can separate the man from his
vocation. Each man is bundle of wants, that
must be satisfied, either by his own labor or by
the bounty of others. And each man may be
the football Of fortune and pass through all de-
clensions of adversely. Amid all vicssitudes,
however, Independent bread may be won by the
man who has some skill or craft that subseryes
his fellows. 1t is therefore the plain duty Of all
parents to train their boys industrially, unless
they have ample means to launch them into the
professions. With our ever-a ugmenting popu-
latiOn. large numbers of both sexes will continue
to emigrate; but without some handicraft, a
man finds himself worse off in the colonies than