Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-09-18
FARM AND HOUS EHOLD.


FISH PoNps.-Every farmer who pos
sesses sufficient water for the purpose
should have fish pond upon his own
premises and raise his own fish. A cor
respondent writing to the Towson REQ
nile, Voice on this subject, says: Ihere
will be no difficulty about 1t If he mas
spring water of his own, and the size OF
the nond can De made to correspond
with the volume of the spring. III IL
should be what is commonly called
strong spring, it would be sufficient 10
supply pond Of about half an acre IN
extent. The size must be gagged SO
that the supply of water will keep the
fish in as good health as at least an oru',
nary size brook where fish abound, ana
which is not supplied directly with
spring water. There should be ID IL
few deep holes in which fish can con-
ceal themselves. and then very shallow
places in which 10 spawn. These latter
places should have sandy or graVeiiy
bottom, which can be made by hauling
the sand or gravel from another portion
of the farm, should il not be naturally
at the bottom. At the inflow Of the pond
mr. dam there should be a firm screen 10
preyent the fish from leaving the pond.
The kinds of fish 10 put i'm such pond
are white catfish, pike, suckers, eeis, sun
fish and German carp. In such pohd
the fish ought to be better than those
caught in a common creek, and the sup
ply ought TO be sufficient for any far
mer's family, and the catching of them
would besides afford the younger mem
bers n great deal Of sport. The cost
would not amount TO enough to cause
the most economical person to hesitate
to count it, or to deprive him of the lux
ury. The pond, too, would supply al
the ice needed.
ATTEND TO THE TREEs.-Trees set out
last spring should be spaded around
now to tighten up the soil, and covering
of grass mulch should be put around
them a foot thick. Old trees will be
benefited by the same treatment, but in
hot and dry season the newly set trees
need it to prevent them from being kill
ed. Stirring the soil and nuiching the
same. is to absorb and retain mois-
ture. Watering trees is but little BEN
eft, rs it seldom reaches low enough to
be of any real benefit to the roots and
by forming crust upon the surface
may do more harm than good. Thinning
of fruit to prevent the tree from injur-
ing itself by over bearing is also now in
order. 1t is this kind of extra care that
bring extra price. 1t is more profitable
and economical to grow and sell BUSH
ell of first class fruit than two of COM
mon sort as to size and appearance.
Branded PEACHES OR PEARs.-FOur
pounds of fruit, four pounds of sugar,
one pint of best white brandy. Make
syrup of the sugar and quarC of pure
water. Let them come to a boil, then
put the pared fruit into it, and let ii
boil for five minutes. Having removed
the fruit carefully with a perforated
ladle, let the syrup boil fifteen minutes
longer, or until it thickens well. Lastly,
add the brandy, and then take the ket-
tie at once from the fire. Pour the hot
syrup over the fruit, put in glass bottles
with wide mouths, and seal up tight. If
after taking the fruit from the fire the
first time reddish liquor oozes from it,
drain this off before adding the clear
syrup. Choose always the fairest, firm
est specimens of fruit for brandying if
you would be rewarded for your pains.
Well-made branded fruits should keep
good for years.
TOMATO CATsUP.-Half bushel of to-
matoes, six onions, half a pound of SUI
gar, one pound of salt, quarter of a
pound of ground mustard, two ounces
ground cloves, two ounces black pep
per, quarter ounce cayenne pepper, a
handful of peach leaves. Boil all to-
gether two hours, or longer if the toma-
toes are very watery, and just before
taking from the fire add one quart of
cider vinegar. If it boils after the vim
egar is added it will turn dark. Pour
through colander; bottle and seal.
STRIPED CAKE.-Two cups of sugar,
two-thirds of a cup of butter, two and
one-half cups of flour, two teaspoonfuls
of cream of tartar, whites of five eggs,
one cup of milk, one teaspoonful of soda.
Brown part-two tablespoonful of the
white dough, one-half cup of treacle,
one half cup of flour, one-half cup of
each of currants and raisins. Bake in
layers and spread with jelly.
VELVET CREAM dissolve one ounce
or half a box Of gelatine in coffee cup
of wine over the fire; add the juice and
grated rind of one lemon. When the
gelatine has dissolved add one coffee cup
of white sugar; cook slowly, strain and
add one and one-half pints of rich milk.
Stir until cool, pour into mould and
set in cool place.
TOMATO SoUP.-To one pint of canned
tomatoes, or four large ones cut up fine,
add one quart of boiling water, and let
them boil till done; then add nearly
teaspoonful of soda: when il foams I'D
add one pint of sweet milk, pepper and
butter, or one cup of sweet cream in
stead of butter, a few crackers rolled
fine and serve.
Acute rheumatism is an Inflammation