New-York tribune., 1906-07-16
SEASON FOR PICNICS.
Appetiaimg Spreads al Fresco-
Bonfire Utensils.

4nlS is the season Tor pcnlcS. Even the HlOSt
inveterate city dweer is likely to be moved at this
time Of the year to Jaunts into the suburbs But
those who love nature. to whom every flower and
shrub yields delight, and every brook and tree and
all the birds possess charm of their own need only
the assurance Of settled weather to spend a day
in the open air.
There all kinds Of pcnics, from the simple.
mpromptu one, where two or three congenial spirits
start off without much preparation, TO the picnic
luncheon at the races. the automobile picnic the
river picnic and the picnic which is really al
fresco entertainment with perhaps fifty people IN
vited and maybe special train. with carriages and
autos to meet it. Smart bachelors sometimes
choose this method Of paying off their social debts.
GOOD CATERING.
But whether your picnic is for two, twenty, or
fifty good catering is prime essential of success,
as generally speaking. it is the spread that makes
or mars the picnic. The list of acceptable viands
for picnics is large. especially of those that
in glass jars tins and if goes in for this
form of entertainment several times in a it
is a good plan to keep in mind the things conven-
lent to have on hand
i find meat served in a nice jelly made Of the
stock and seasoned gelatine a most acceptable
addition to a picnic luncheon" said a popular
hostess. "Aspic jelly is also goOd, but becomes
monotonous II applied 10 everything. Creamed fish
is delicious. If make fish pates. beefsteak
pies. chicken pies. etc. using individual dishes for
the purpose they are sure to make hit, espe-
cially with men, who almost invariably like meat,
fish or game treated in these ways.
II have found this a popular menu for a river
excursion picnic in wood: CurTied chicken,
boiled tongue creamed lobster. some sort of green
salad, small rolls buttered mayonnaise dressing
preserves either strawberries, raspberres or cur
rants. cream cheese. little cakes, iced tea, lemon
ade and coffee. with the necessary tableware and
condiments.
LUNCHEON HAMPERS.
1.-The chicken you can buy in glass jars If you
don't want to make it yourself. Lettuce or ro-
maine makes appetizing salad, but cucumbers
may be substituted. Creamed lobster may he pre-
pared at home before starting. and then reheated
in a chafng dish. which can also be used to make
hot tea and boil the coffee. Ice is an important
adjunct to any outdoor spread"
Convenient picnic hampers come that combine a
receptacle for all the food and paraphernalia Of
can be set up anywhere. and will accommodate six
or eight seated guests any number of stand ups.
Dy HledliS OL teSe 4UAuIiouS ueVlCes HSI uIy d
quarter OF an hour is required to get ready What
landadies term IAN elegant lunch" with napkins,
cooling in ice basket and tea or coffee brewing
over an alcohol lamp Designed primarily for the
Ing or auto paites or for any 5 al 1[escS ire spread
guests to substitute paper plates and dishes for
china and paper napkins for those of linen. Who,
after delicious luncheon which has left one In a
sanguine. tolerant mood toward all mankind, wants
to go to work scrubbing dirty dishes? Who, in
fact, wants to handle them at all. even TO stacking
them up neatly and putting them back in box?
which are just the thing for the picnicker. They
contain four plates for meat. four smaller ones
for a second course, fiat tray for salad meat,
and a salt cellar. But almost more convenient
than these the fiat pie plates, Of different sizes
that primarily for the benefit Of the pie and
cake bakers, and cost fraction of a cent apiece
when bought in large quantities After the meal
they can be thrown into the river gathered III
into a neat little bonfire, without a sigh of COM
junction their cost.
Pretty much the arguments hold good fol-
paper tablecloths and napkins The larger the pic
mic the greater the aftermath OF responsibility and
work, II short cuts like these not adopted One
can buy neat little boxes containing two drawn
work linen paper tablecloths. and twenty-five nap
kins Of Japanese crepe paper. Between the ease
OF gathering these up after the spread and sending
them up in a Whit OF blue smoke, and laboriously
counting ones best daruask napkins and fuming
because your most cherished set seems 70 have been
broken through a guests absence of mind, who
! could for a moment choose?