Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
A Few Simple but Valuable Princi-
pies Of Domestic Science.
SUGGESTIONS FOR LATE PRESERVES
A Recipe for Old-Fashioned New
England Gingerbread.
COOKING FOR THE SICK

western houSekeeperS to harg new ven
lures on. Several hours before the preserv-
ing proper, the fruits are carefully peeled
and dropped into large jar of cold water.
in which 4 double handful of lime has been
dissolved. This renders the fruit firm and
compact, SO that it does not break during
the cooking process, preserves the color in
all its original beauty and at the same time
is a certain preventive of the entrance of
germ life. A rich strip of sugar and water
CT honey and water is then made, and,
when boiled clear, the fruit is dropped in.
About five minutes before removing the
fruit from the fire, a small bunch of rose
geranium leaves is dropped into the kettle.
The richer preserves designed for holidays
are put up in small cut glasses, with pa
perS pasted over the top, while the sweets
for every-day use are placed in earthen
jars, resembling the old Roman amphorae
me choicest sweets are those made from
the fshne,' or sour cherry, the grape,
lose leaves; while for the commoner use,
various fruits are used in combination.
favorite mixture is composed of egg plant,
cut in small bits, ripe figs and grapes.
Frequently squash or tomatoes are added
to the melange, with the results most sat
lsfactory to the favored participant.
On no one thing is the comfort of an in
valid more dependent than on the careful
making Of the bed. Anything that makes
sleeper restless takes SO much from his
strength. The bed to be perfect should
support all parts of the body equally Wire
springs and good hair mattress do this.
The covers should be light, warm and
washable. Wooden blankets are preferable
In these respects to all other coverings.
The sheets should be at least two and
three-quarter yards in length when finish
ed, that they may be tucked in under the
mattress and at the foot. This is specially
important for nervous people, to whom a
wrinkle or a movement of the sheet may
mean the loss of nights sleep. Blankets
should be put on with the opening at the
top that part of the cover may be easily
turned back If the sleeper is too warm The
pillows should not be filled too full, and the
cases should fit loosely. If the patient is
at all sensitive to cold, both sheets and
pillow cases should be of cotton, as linen
chills. In putting on the upper sheet, leave
the lower part little loose for the feet,
and the upper part long enough to turn
back over the blanket. The counterpart
should be the same length as the sheet to
fold over; but the blanket not so long If
the patient is very ill, the lower sheet
should be pinned in place, and draw sheet
laid across the bed, reaching from the
shoulders to the knees This can readily be
changed If desirable.
With the pouring out of the treasures of
autumn, spiced grapes again become a
benefcent factor to add to the housekeep-
er's store of good things to eat" Select
grapes with thin skins, and If not entirely
ripe, so much the better. The last few
for this purpose. Press the pulp from the
skins and cook the pulps in one granite or
porcelain kettle with little water until
the seeds separate from the pulp Cook the
skins in another kettle with a little water
until quite tender. Pass the cooked pulps
through colander which holds the seeds,
and add the strained liquor to the skins.
Now measure the grapes and allow to four
pounds of the fruit two pounds of sugar,
one pint of cider vinegar, and cinnamon,
cloves and allspice to taste. Cook on back
of range until rather thick and if the glass
cans have all been filed. pour in an earth
en- jar. These keep Indefinitely and prove
delicious and piquant accompaniment to
the Sunday roast.
In the matter of milk supply New York
has occasion to feel that she is abreast of
the times, and that her system of milk in
spection is now as near perfect as possible.
Milk permits are granted to vendors of
milk with the understanding that they re-
main in force during the pleasure of the
board of health. which revokes them
the second trial and conviction for the sale
nf 'adulterated milk This phrase means
milk containing more than SO per cent of
water fluid and less than per cent of
milk solids. or less than B per cent of
fat: milk drawn from animals fed on dis
tilery waste: milk from which any part
Of the cream has been removed, and milk
from cows kept in crowded unhealthy
places. That this system of inspection has
been of immense value may be CLEANED
from the fact that in the samples of milk
tested in 1895 1893 cases of aduIteratfon
were discovered, while last year the in
spectioH and test showed only 233.
To any one in whose breast there still
lirger haunting memories Of the topogra-
ply of the genuine old-fashioned New Eng
land card gingerbread that fiour.shed
during the early part of this century, there
will come feeling of thankfulness for this
family recipe, handed down for several
generations from mother to daughter: Two
cupfuls of Porto Rico molasses, one cupful
sugar one cupful drippings Cor half butter
and half larc) one cupful cold water, a
dessertspoonful ginger. one tablespoonful
soda, and flour to make a rather soft
dough. 1t may be baked as of old, in sheets
about two inches thick, barred crosswise
with the sharp edge Of a tin, or rolled into
cookies In either case, it will be found an
admirable concomitant to the morning cup
of coffee; or an assuager OF that aching
void with which the small boy commonly
returns from school.
To make whole wheat brea6-the quick
process, as taught at Pratt Institute Cook
ing School-add to one pint of thin oat-
meal porridge one pint warm milk and
two compressed yeast cakes dissolved
in little lukewarm water. Beat well; add
again two rounded teaspoonfuls sugar. six
level teaspoonfuls shortening, one rounded
teasroonful salt, and whole wheat -four
until you can stir it no longer with the
back Of a knife. Cover lightly and set to
rise. When twice its bulk, divide into
bake in a moderate oven about forty min
utes.
A nutritious and appetizing jelly to tempt
the capricious appetite Of an inval;d-who
rebels at broth and gruel-is made in this
way: Take quart Of strong beef broth
without particle of fat, and clear with
the white and shell of one egg, as per bouil-
Ion. Season as you wish, with-celery seed
and thin shavings from half lemon. or
with cinnamon and other spices, and set
away to harden. Turn out on a pretty dish
and serve while cold and firm.
Live and learn was never more true
than In the science of household economies
Many old housekeepers have yet to dis
cover that egg shells dried and kept in a
convenient receptacle near the kitchen
sink will be found useful in the cleansing
of carafes. bottles and vinegar cruets.
Crush fine, partially fill the bottles with
warm soap suds, add a handful of the
shells, shake well and rinse.
To remove stubborn rust spots from steel.
put Oil and quick-lime on and leave for sew
eral days. Then rub with oil or rotten
stone or Bristol brick.
A strainer should never be wiped after
washing. Wash thoroughly. scald and
hang up to dry.