The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-07-02

~ NE of the most vivid recollec-
iections of my childhood in the
Old Virginia we know now by
name alone is of the practice
of preserving and picking after sunset
favored by many notable housewives.
My own mother, whose pickles and
preserved fruits had a reputation that
outran the limits Of our county, main
tanned that the evening 'cool of the
day was the only time when such work
was tolerable in the dog-days-a season
never less than six weeks long in that
latitude. And since fruits ripened ia
the torrid heat that tried the patience
of man and beast, the winter supply of
conserves must be put up under the
cover of night
At sunset. then, the fire was kindled
in the Kitchen yard'-an Enclosure sur
rounding what our English forbears and
cousins of this generation call Offices
Upon the plantation they were '-quar-
ters. the kitchen, always detached
from the house" occupying the front
rank. The fire was of dried bark, never
of the '1ightwood knots alias pitch
pine, used for other fires" Bark
burned with a clear, hot flame. and left
enduring, smokeless embers. The
Emooty smoke of resinous woods would
faint the favor of lucent syrups tinct
with cinnamon"
Making Duties Noble.
The fruit was prepared by colored as
sistants in the daytime, always under
the mistress supervision. Indeed, hers
was usually head rather than hand
work. Gentlewomen of her day thought
more of the delicacy of compilations
and hands than we do. And hands OF
coarser make were superintendent
Propped I'm my bed 20 a position that
commanded a view OF the scene, /
would lie until my legitimate sleepy hour
was long past, watching the play of the
dancing flames upon houses and trees
and the groups of moving figures col
lected about the big copper cauidron.
Children read grown peoples books then
and were none the worse for it. No
body thought me priggish when I told
my father at breakfast one morning
tLat what / had seen the night before
reminded me of the witches cauldron
and dance in "Macbeth"-adding-"B
for mother IN her white dress"
My vocabulary was not equal TO the
expression OF the fancy that had pos
sessed my restless brain in my vigil.
namely, that the white figure, still and
steadfast, directing the movements o!
subordinates, made me think Of strong
kind angel. Diniy then, more and more
distinctly as the years have gone by,
came to the perception OF the poetry OF
household tasks. Looking back, I an
grateful that 1 appreciated. as child
that ii was not an orgy. but ceremony
decent, beneficent- almost soiemn-o
which ! was the charmed witness.
.irfc bot
merit, it is a lesson in this great truth
The true gentlewoman OF that ali-so
Iong-ago brought culinary duties-ant
they were many and tedious-up to ilel
level, instead of lowering herself Il
them
In the more bustling, exacting rou
tine of modern living / have adhered Z
the idea that the cool OF the day is tn
best time for summer cookery. But
act upon IL with difference. Late din
ners. dinner toilettes, and evening SO
eiai engagements preclude the practica
biIity of what Our mothers found cas-
of accomplishment in the days that ar
no more 1t has been my habit 70
years to get jellying. preserving an
canning oat OF the way before the res
Of the world is fairly awake. clothe
and fed / have had such genuine sat
isfaction in carrying out the plan tina
/ speak as one having authority in com
mendtng the like practice.
If jellying be the order Of the MOI
row. and currants or berries are to b
thus treated have them picked owe
and washed over night, then packet
with the moisture ciingiug to them, /
stone or agate ironware jar. Set TIL
In a pot of cold water, and let the frs
duty of the new day be to light tn
fire or gas under this pot. By the tim
you are dressed. the fruit will be broke
10 pieces and thoroughly heated Remoy
from the range and take the Jar OF
OF the pot that II may cool rne soonel
AS soon AS Il can be handled with
tolerabls degree OF comfort. strai