Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-02-07
Novelties in Catering.
AN ELABORATE SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING
FAMILIES WITH MEALs--STEAM-H HEATED
WAGONS AND FooD- BONES.


WAGONS AND Foop-BoxEs.
y. y. Evening Post
The practice Of supplying meals to fami.
lies by caterers for a regular sum per week
has been greatly fostered in this city by tn,
custom Of living in fats, and its growth
became so notable year or two ago that
conside rable space was devoted TO the sub.
ject in the Erening Post. Within few
months an attempts has been made TO reduce
this practice TO a science, providing for IL,
/ operation on very extensive scale under q
single management, and introducing feat.
ures designed to make it much more popu.
lar than before.
Under the old plan of the private cater
ers, who sent out meals in ordinary dishes
carried in a basket or tray by waters or
foot, it was impossible for one establish
ment to supply many patrons living in diff
terent parts of the city. Last September
however, a company was incorporated fol
the purpose Of serving meals TO families
over a wide area, and. to do this in a salts
factory manner, dishes. boxes, and two
horse wagons have been used. all special,
constructed for this purpose. The meal FOL
+
companr's kitchen in silver plated dishes
with tight overs, all of Which fit exactly in
TO a iarg, copper box, made with double
walls. BY inserting little funnel IN tive
small apertures IN the rim of this box, wher
the cover is removed, the space between the
double walls is filed with boiling hot water
The cover being replaced and securely fast
cned. the box IS then put with nine other'
in a close wagon, having doors IN the reai
end. A, the bottom Of the wagon j. COY
cred a tank and in this each box rests. be
ing lowered into it through hole in the
cover, IN which the top Of the box remains
fixed. Beneath the wagon is a small gaso-
line heater. communicating with a little
boiler. and pipes extend from the boiler
through the bottom Of the tank. The sur.
face OF the latter ke!ng covered with a few
inches of water. quantity OF steam Is gen
Grated. which envelopes all the food boxes
and the contents OF the latter are therefore
kept not until the moment Of delivery 70 thc
consumer The heat Of the box can then p,
maintained for any time required, ,Impl, z,
placing i Ma a range or over an ordinary
gas-lamp and stand
For each .opper case enclosing the hot
'oHd' ARK w o"A y P'aotH ~ Nhc "'S"'
being hung up On a side II the vehicle, II
the cool part above the covered tank. Fact
II these boxes contains th. cold portions o.
the meal. such as bread, butter, sugar, sal
ads. ice cream. etc. In summer such aris-
cieS Will be carried IN a small refrigerator
bultt INTO the wagon. Some hours after ih'
delivery Of the meals the driver. who !, ac
companied by boy assistant, makes hl'
rounds agnIu and collects the empticd di'he'
and boxes.
The men., arr served. A. the pltror, ma!
or!rr, during the foIowing hours Break
FIST, on week dhy. ir1m = q II 4 ". anC
on SUNDAYS from n II !. u; dinner, p
wees DAYS from 70 I. N, and % Sun
day from 70 Z. VI. When desired spec
ia arrangements are made for serving din
ncr near the middle OF the DAY, and a.>o ~
regard 10 the meals Of children, according !,
age, etc. \ clock Is placed above tnr dr!