Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-02
Maintains Full Strength in All Climates.
HOUSEHOLD HINTS

The wholesome currant is now at its
best, and the housewife begins her field
days in the making of jellies and jams
The old wives tradition that currant jelly
won't ''jelr' after the Fourth of July is
not infallible; but the truth remains that
currants should not be over-ripe nor should
they be gathered just after rain, II firm
clear jelly is desired. Equal parts of red
and white currants or red raspberries and
currants make delicately favored and
colored jelly. II possible, select a clear,
sunshiny day for the work of jelly max
ing, and see that the kitchen is scientific
ally clean, and the jars, glasses and COW
ers well sterilized with boiling water be-
fore being used. The requisites for the
work are good quality stone jar or porce-
lain agate kettle, earthen dish into
which the fruit juice may drip, shallow
tins for heating the sugar, ong-handied
wooden spoon. a coarse jelly bag made OF
loosely woven white flannel, little par
aff1ne to cover over the jelly before
setting away and an assortment of jelly
glasses. 1t is not necessary to stem the
currants, though they should be picked
over all bits of leaves removed and then
washed and drained. Put the currants In
the stone jar or preserving kettle. and set
this in a large pan of hot water. AS IL
begins to heat mash with large wooden
pestle until the currants reduced to
pulp Take the jar off the range. and,
scooping up the pulp, put it in the jelly bag
to drain. This may be done the night be-
fore ethe jelly-making proper begins, and
the bag left suspended over night with
out squeezing, or 1t may be done in the
morning. pressing the steaming Juice out a
little at a time. When the juice is all ex-
tracted measure 1t out by pints and return
1t to the kettle. Take as many pounds OF
sugar as there are pints of juice and place
on the shallow tins to heat in the oven,
taking care that they do not get hot enough
to discolor the sugar. Boil the juice just
twenty minutes from the time 1t begins to
boil and throw the heated sugar in, STIR
ring rapidly all the while. AS soon as IL
is all dissolved remove the spoon, let the
juice just come to a boil again and re-
move at once from the fire. The jelly
glasses should then be rolled in hot water
and filled with the scalding liquid. They
may then be coated with melted paraffine
or one-third paraffine to two-thirds wax, or
sealed with white of egg or sterilized cot
ton Keep in COOL dry place.
Bread and milk tables are among the new
nursery furnishings that commend them
selves by reason of their practicability.
They come in oak or enameled wood, and
consist of a childs low table with VISA
Wis seats, the three pieces held together at
the bottom by a wooden rail. The usual
casualties of bowl and pitchers falling into
the children's laps will probably be mate
rally lessened by the use of this pretty
and convenient bit of furniture, though the
price. 50, seems an outlay requiring con-
sideration.
Cherry vinegar is highly esteemed by
many bon vivants, and now is the time
to make it. Pour over two Quarts of sour
cherries. lightly mashed. one quart of good
cider or white-wine vinegar. Put in an
earthen bowl and set in a cool place for
han CT lin
bag, and to each pint of liquid add three
quarters of pound of sugar and let it boil
fifteen minutes. Then strain, set aside to
cool and bottle. A little of this added to A
glass half filled with cracked ice makes a
cooling summer beverage
Among the pretty curtains for doorways
In the summer are the Indian cotton prints
in wool effects. These have palm-leaf nat
terms, and al little distance take on the
appearance of a fine cashmere shawl. A
cotton curtain of some sort should always
accompany the voyageur or the guest at the
summer hotel. With light portiere hung
over the doorway, the door may be left
open to get the benefit of all the air that IS
stirring.
Currant ice made of the fresh fruit is a
beautiful color. and is frequently more ac-
ceptable than the creams. To prepare it,
soak tablespoonful of gelatin half an
hour in enough cold water to cover
1t. Pour over II half pint of boiling water
add one pint Of GRADUATED sugar. one of
currant juice, one Of cold water and the
juice of one lemon. Freeze and pack
The popular iced drink among the West
Point cadets is made by allowing to each
glass of ice water q little less than a tea
of Angostura bitters and sugar to sweeten
10 taste The rapidity with which this
drink can be mixed doubtless adds to the
high esteem in which It is held
In case of sunstroke, when the face is
red and the head and body hot and dry
remove the clothing at once battle the
body, face and head in ice water and Law
Ice in towels on head and neck. or remove
to private place, strip, lay on wire mat
tress and sprinkle with ice water from
watering pot
Cheese sandwiches are excellent to serve
with the salad course at dinner or appetiz-
ing for the picnic basket. Crate any cheese
that is not too dry, rub it to a paste with
butter. spread the bread. dust with salt
and paprika and cut into strips.
An old Catskill preserve is made of plums
and maple sugar. Melt the maple sugar in
little water and cook with the pums al
lowing pound for pound This gives a tart
sweetness especially agreeable to many
palates.
An excellent and simple remedy for a
sprain is said to be found by mixing the
well-beaten whites of six eggs with a half
cupful Of table salt. Spread between thin
muslin cloths and bind over the sprain.
Popular additions to 1.-THE cup that cheers
but not inebriates' are few pieces OF
shredded pineapple, fresh or preserved,
three or four preserved or branded cher
ries, or a slice of orange or lemon.
In making jelly it must be borne in mind
that the less stirring there Is the better
II stirred too much the jelly is not clear,
while the tendency of sugar to granulate
Is increased by stirring.
Two tablespoonful Of washing soda dis
solved in a gallon Of boiling water makes
an excellent disinfectant for the kitchen
sink. Pour In while boiling hot.
good test for the right consistency of
jelly when boiling is to let It drop from a
spoon. II the last drop sticks to the spoon
it is sufficiently hard.
For canning. picking and preserving.
keep q supply Of special cloths and holders
to use, as the stains cannot be removed.
A little kerosene mixed with the blacking
used to polish stoves before putting away
for the summer u said to prevent rust.