Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-20

X fbtohs ne OisElputcs
!. ! :"
YX&S2N to the soldiers. In
9H military operations the
kZ IL problem Of transport
49, ing food is always of
81 most vital consequence,
the best army being Of
little use without
proper commissariat.
Accordingly there II urgent demand for some
sort Of provender that is at once highly con-
centrated and very nutritious This want has
so far been met that in future provisions for
10000 men for ten days cnn be carried in five
bullock wagons. Or each soldier may put into his
haversack sustenance for six days, the weight
of which would only be one pound and a half
PEA SOUP IN THE AFGHAN WAR.
At the opening of the Afghan war, fourteen
years ago. an enterprising Englishman sup
piled the British army with product of his
own invention in the shape Of compressed pea
soup. 1t was yellow solid, put up in four
ounce cans, one Of which was a sufficient days
ration for man. On the outside Of the recep-
tacle were pasted printed directions saving:
mix the contents to thick paste with cold or
warm water; then add sufficient water to make
one quart Of soup; boil until it is Of the proper
thickness, when it 10 ready for use" The Brit
ish generals were so impressed with the merits
Vi INC preparation tnat great quantltles OF III
were ordered for the army, and the inventor in
England went into the business of producing it
on large scale, forwarding thousands upon
thousands Of the four-ounce cans to India in
pasteboard mailing tubes and otherwise.
AMULE LOAD FOR BATTALION.
When Gen. Roberts made his famous march
to the relief Of Kandahar his troops were fed
almost wholly on compressed pea soup. The
rapidity of his progress was much facilitated
by the small bulk Of rations required to be
taken along in this shape, single mule being
battalion. subsequently, in the Zulu war, in
the Egyptian conflict and in the futile Nile
campaign. which had for it's object the relief Of
Gordon Mt khartoum. these canned rations
were largely utilized, the profits on contracts
Tor supplying them enriching the inventor.
This and similar preparations will undoubtedly
be the war foods Of the future.
A SAMPLE PROCESS.
There is no proprietary secret in the manu-
deter governments from producing it on large
scale, the process being very simple. The peas
are steam roasted and ground very fine, sea-
soning being added, together with a small guam
tity OF beef extract to serve the purpose of
stock. Finally the mixture is reduced to the
smallest possible bulk by desiccation with dry
heat and by pressure.
MORE NUTRITIOUS THAN BEEF.
1t is commonly imagined that beef and other
meats contain more protein, which is the flesh
forming element Of foods, than any other edible
substances. But the fact is that peas are con-
siderably more rich in protein than even the
best beefsteak, and accordingly they are more
nutritious. In truth, peas are the most
nutritious Of all known foods, and quart of
good and thick soup made from them will sus-
tain any able-bodied man for twenty-four
hours. Recently the business Of preparing it
for ordinary commercial purposes has been
undertaken, and the compressed article can be
bought by the 100 pounds ut the rate Of Is
cents pound. That quantity will make 400
quarts of soup, the cost Of which is Sl5. 1t is
put up for sale at retail in pasteboard boxes
holding four ounces each, instead Of cans.
Tastes differ in various countries, and in Eng
land the formula for making it includes mint.
AvARIErY
The manufacture of compressed SOUPS of
other kinds is about to be begun in this coun-
try on large scale. Processes for preparing
them will be similar to those above described
and they will be sold in solid form. Successful
preliminary experiments have already been
made with tomato soup. bean soup,
mulligatawney. oxtail and beef soup. For ali
of these it will be necessary to regular stock
together with which the various incidental
vegetables Will be boiled down to the lowest
point of concentration, suitable seasoning being
added. Finally. the concentrated mixtures will
be dried and packed in pasteboard boxes. Trial
is to be made with the possibilities of COM
pressed clam chowder, which should be well
come novelty to the palates Of shellfsh-starved
people who reside far from the sea.
WILL KEEP WELL.
One advantage of these compressed soups is
that they will keep for an indefinite period
without getting stale or moldy, preserving all
their qualities. The STAR writer was shown
yesterday several cans of the pea mixture,
which were put up during the Afghan war.
fourteen years ago. Their contents looked and
smelled as good as ever. With food supplies Of
this kind campaigns Of the future can be con-
Quoted with vastly less expense Incidentally
reduced transport trains signify reduced num-
Der Of guards required for their protec ton
Compressed soups will admirably supplement
the horse biscuits which European armies have
already used with success, this latter invention
enabling the trooper to carry in his haversack
weeks rations for his charger thus rendering
him independent Of forage. The value OF peas
as provender for soldiers has been recognized
10 the German army by the adoption Of the
"erbswurst, or pea sausage. But this par
ticular comestibie does not suit the stomachs of
Britsh troops, and would probably not find
favor in America.
THE BUSINESS OF MAKING AND PUTTING Up SOUS
in cans and bottles ready for immediate con-
sumption and only requiring to be heated be-
fore serving has recently attaiued large in
portance in the United States. Many of them
are sold in highly concentrated form. such as
beef ten and broshs for invalids, requiring to be
diluted with seven times their own quantity Of
water. Thus fve-ounce bottle Of chicken
broth or consomme affords full quart of soup.
Ordinarily, however, these preparations are
marketed in bottles or cans holding quarts,
pints and half pints. not concentrated. They
are as excellent In quality as French cooks can
make them, and at three quarts for dollar they
are by no means dear. particularly from the
point of view Of the housewife whose husband
complains that he does not get such soups ut
home a. he can buy ~ the restaurants. There
are two or three manufacturers who each put
up 10000 cans a day. two-thirds Of them quar- Is.
JOURNEY THROUGH ONE OF THE FACTORIES
affords q most interesting and appetizing
spectacle. Everything is az clean as new pin.
On the top floor all the raw material is deliv-
cred in the shape Of shins and other parts Of
beef suitable for the purpose, poultry vegcta-
bies. DC. The meat, including the fowls, Is put
into big cold storage room. whence it is taken
a. fast as it il wanted. In several huge copper
pots. double jacketed for steam heat, stock by
the hundreds Of gallons Is constantly boiling
and bubbling. Huge chunks Of beef. together
IL ~ -