The Nome nugget., 1901-12-04
POINTS ABOUT STRAWBERRIES
The Cultivated Fruit Not Always the Dest-GOOd Ways to Pre-
 pare It

Like the white potato, the straw berry has been condemned by some authorities as unfit for food of man.
 In spite of this sentence and evil dence shown 10 sustain the unfavor- able statements made against these universal favorites. people continue to eat them and yet live to the fullness of their days. Whether their physical condition would be improved by omit ting strawberries from their dietary depends on the effect they produce upon the individual. says the Washing ton Star.
 When we discover ourselves" as some one guaintly remarks. we will cease o blame he innocent products of nature for harm wrought through our ignorance and want of thought. One mistake we too frequently make is the misconceptions of natures de- signs; and from the want of knowl- edge we pervert these designs to our own hurt in presuming to improve on natural products.
 In cultivating the strawberry the desire has been, too frequently, to pro- duce showy fruit. This effort has met with astonishing success. But at what sacrifice! Can the finest speci- men of the "higher cultivation re- place the luscious little native we used to seek with such delight along the hedges and borders of the ''old home ~felds?" Take this humble little "earth berry. from its native heath and "cultivate" it for the society of the Four Hundred, and it loses that subtle fragrance and flavor that was so elusive and SO delicious to the senses as to call forth the declaration that doubtless God could have made bet ter berry. but doubtless God never did"
 Many varieties of the cultivated berry are too acid for those who are unpleasantly affected by this quality in their foods. Many, being unmindful of this fact, indulge foo freely in the fruit, and pay no heed to combinations than may result in much discomfort and suffering to remind them of their indulgence.
 X very popular as we'll as attractive way to serve the mammoth berry is to heap them in pyramid form on small individual dishes, the stems left on to hold them by as they are dipped into powdered sugar and eaten. But a less artistic but more satisfac- tory way. if you desire to enjoy the full flavor of these delicious morsels, is to crush or cut the berry and blend with the sugar. Children know this secret well and unless reproved by their parents will invariably mash their berries on tie plate with the sugar before they will eat them. Try Pthe plan of slicing the berries with a silver fruit knife, sugaring them as you fill your dish. Let them stand a few minutes in a cold place, and then see if the instinct of the primitive man is not to be relied on in discovering na- ture's best way.
 Hull the berries, wash them care fully to free from grit and drain. To each pound of berries allow pound of sugar. Place berries and sugar in alternate layers in glass dish. Pour over the berries enough fruit juice, lemon. orange or pineapple preferred, to flavor but not soak the berries. Stand the dish in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Then sprinkle the top of the berries with shaved ice and powdered sugar and serve at once. De- licious on a hot day.