The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-07
LEARNING HOW TO COOK.
Little Girls Who Are Experts in the
Art OF Managing tho
Kitchen.
Taught in the Public Schools An
About the Preparation
of MeAls
The Joke About the Youag wifss Bis
cult Is Doomsd-Every Girl
Coed Cook.


homo from a Grand street school. A they
walked they talked and crunched cake.
| They were children not in the best Of cir
cumstauccs. as could be- seen by their
mended clothes. torn hats and ragged
thocs But they were laughing and ioll-
ing In happy way.
~ made my cake better than Sissic
mndc hers, said one, who had blue eyes
/ that a Madison square mamma would
have gone mad over.
eyes. yours is whittier That's because
I you stir better. Nou II make a good cook
when you grow up
My ma Says just as soon rs | leave
schuoi n bo SO e. keep house"
aa two girls trutted ON, and il was
i,-rl out that they had just come from
$500 cooking department OF the public
s.lcul which they attended. Behind them
we're groups OF other girls each carrying
srrsn momcnto OF the cooking class, every
t-eof them exhibiting with pride the par
tcular cake or biscuit which she had
cooked
The cooking department Of the public
SCHOOLS s. one 81 the most progressive ideas
yet developed i'm the school system. There
IS scarcely a girl over IL in the public
schools who cannot cook meal from soup
zip 60 the dessert. Superintendent Jasper
e9 been enthusiastic upon the subject Of
scch training in the schools, and IL has
leua particularly through his untiring eff
forts that the plan has been adopted and
enlarged. Nearly all the girls schools
have their regular cooking classes.
Every sohoolhouse has its kitchen.
This is a most homelike and pleasant
+ hn ooh he nN
prcitily papered or delicately tinted and
tho floors of different colored woods well
polished. There are plenty Of pretty pic
lures hung around. which lend warmth
and color. In the center is long table
rounded with marble top. This table is
divided into sections containing a closet
and drawer. holding most Of the utensils
for the children to work with. The tqnle
is OF light wood, prettily CLOSED. ine
knobs and trimmings are generally OF
brass Each specific bit Of decoration
tends TO delight the child and attract her
attention. She il taught 20 keep her lit
tie space Of table as neat as wax, to wash,
wipe and polish it.
Another long table, usually at the side
OF the room, is divided into closets vii b
drawers, above which are small stoves.
Gas ranges are always used. The chill
dreD enjoy immensely the lessons ON tenn
perature, which they obtain from manag-
ing the gas stoves. They get TO know
how TO prepare the fire for broiling,
steaming, trying roasting. boiling or bak-
ing. Tap any of these bright children on
the shoulder. and she will tell you about
"redhot Goals, " quick heat" baking
brown flames" or "open fire" They
learn the degree Of heat at which water
and milk boil, and when water must be
poured on meat, and the same turned over
and basted; how TO shift the position Of
the turkey and refresh il with liquid
dressing. and how often 70 change the at
titude OF the goose and Quench its thirst.
Pies. tarts, puddings and jumhles grow
just fat enough and crisp enough under
their scientific direction, and tea, coffee,
cocoa or chocolate is never overlooked.
The hour given over to the cooking Of
fish and fowl Is intensely interesting.
Think Of small girls of 10, u and IA
knowing exactly how to skin, brush and
clean a fowl, make rich dressing TO Gil
IL, get IL ready for the oven, cook it perfect
ly and serve it, Fresh vegetables are
brought 10 the school kitchen, and the
children peel, pare, salt and pepper pota-
toes. pumpkins caulihower, green peas,
apples, cabbages and the various other
vegetables, cover them with necessary
sauces and gravies and cook them like
ideal chefs Pudding, cake and pie day is
looked forward TO with expectancy, for
after the pastry is cooked each child gets
a share and enjoys IL.
The school kitchen is busy scene twice
and sometimes three afternoons Of the
week when a class lesson is in session.
The hour is placed az a time when the pu-
pills seem weary Of book study. It comes
I'm as pleasant relaxation, with its
change Of theme and atmosphere. The
little pupils wear uniforms furnished by
their parents or guardians. These are
pretty and always in neat condition.
Those who are not cooking remain seated
and enjoy, az at a theatrical performance,
the Successes or failures Of their comrades.
Those whose day IL il 20 cook pull out
their wooden drawers, get their spoons,
knives and forks into place, turn on the
fires and at once get interested in their
stirring, boiling, baking and steaming.
The teacher goes from child 20 child and
lays down rules.
Afternll is finished comes the dish wash
ing All, there are very few Of the girls
who ike this, and those who were doomed
20 remain seated are now rejoicing at their
fate. Scientific dish washing is taught,
and thorough scrubbing In hot water, rims
ing ia cold water, with shining up by "A
rough linen towel. Next comes the put
ting away. and each child arranges the
small utensils ia neat fashion in the clos
cts and drawers.
Chatting about the cooking class Miss
Austin said. "This branch Of study was
much needed. and since IL was instituted
and has become successful the board Of
education have been highly congratulated
upon it. The way In which cooking is in
PRODUCED into the schools Is by the prin-
cipal making a reQuisition upon the trus-
tees, they granting the same and applying
in turn To the board Of education for IL.
u is thought most important that the
chemistry Of the composition 81 foods and
aids % digestion should De taught. The
main idea is 20 teach the children Go use
their hands iu harmony with their minds
to illustrate practical thought. Cook
ing has been taught In some Of our schools
for about six years. Mrs, Hope was f.lr
first teacher She gave up her position h
devote time 60 the normal college dome
tic economy class. She died about year
and "a half ago. Her record was a most
brilliant enc New York Tribune.