The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-12
E. p Howell, in the New York Indepent

ent
"HERE are some things in nature just
right, If in the right spot, and one
i of these is pumpkin pie. You
should know all about the pumpkin just
as much as you should be well acquainted
with Indian corn. They have grown to-
gether so long that one of them alone
all cut, and the farmer boys are sitting
around it to strip the golden ears, what
would one do without pumpkins to sit on?
1t is the pie. however. that we are after,
and how in the world can such a de-
licious affair be AIMED out of gourd? !?
For the pumpkin is nothing but a gourd,
glorified Every sort of plant has a spe-
cial fitness above all others. 1t is so with
folks also. and as for companionship
what could be finer than this of our two
gifts from the Indians?
But you must find the right woman to
mix and cook it-that is, the pie. 1t is
like ginger cookies-not too much ginger
not too little, and the same with the SUI
gar, and after that IL you stir the mixture
just once too many times you spoil the
cookies. Nobody can tell why, only it is
SO. But the pumpkin pie must have
bracing charge OF ginger. and sugar
enough to be really sweet in the raw: and
as for the milk, our word for it, don't try
condensed milk. And one more thins.
don't try making just one pie. We have
never known stinginess to work well with
pumpkins.
1t is not easy to be patient with those
who have a washing day every week, but
not cooking day. If you wash on Mon
day. on Saturday you should make pies
with doughnuts, cookies and bread; all
of these; and, to begin with there should
be a pan full of the cookies when you get
through, and a pan full of pie mixture
when you begin. IL there are boys in the
family they should be permitted to taste
with entire freedom of the marvellous
mixture, and there should be big spoon
thoughtfully laid by the pan on the table
After the pies are baked, set them in n
row, always oh the second shcl1 in the
pantry, and let them ripen. Nothing is
perfect when green, least of all pump
kin pie. They are best on the second day.
and not much different on the third, ani
are still good on the fourth; only let one
pie, as soon as out of the oven, be set on
the big, broad shelf by the window, and
on 1t a suggestive knife, of silver, and
ask no questions. IL it is not there on the
morrow, why, those on the second shelf
remain, and is not gratitude from whole
family as good as a pumpkin pie, any
time?
We have heard a good deal of growing
about the world, from time to time and
from folk who ought to know better, ye.
1t is no wonder when all the domestic
arts are lost arts and when there is no
Wendell Phillips left to rehearse their
golden days. But all this is nonsense.
when one may easily have a big corn
field, with the corn all husked and in the
bin, and yet the field covered with 1000
pumpkins, the color of red gold, and ev-
eryone of them crying out, Take me-!
Take mel" Enough? Yes. it is one el
the few things of which nature creates a
surplus; enough to use up four quarts
of Jersey milk, although it is the pumpkin
itself that has made the Jersey milk so
goden; enough also for boys to make
jack o. lanternsl on Halloween; enough
more for seats when the husking bees
gather the farmers, and then enough for
pies for every day as long the snow quilts
lie on the meadows, and enough for the
uncles and aunts in town.
Goodness! But what can one think
more beautiful than a big farm wagon,
piled high with this golden fruit? We
have also seen great loads of melons, in
July, so pounds each, and every one as
full of joy as-melons. Only you cannot
trust melon by sight, but a pumpkin is
more like a Starls improved Elberta
peach; as honest a fruit as goes. Yet we
confess that there is art in the selection;
let the pie be made of pumpkin that is
smooth almost round, only a little d~
pressed at the end, and of darkish hue.
Have you ever seen woman going all
over pumpkin field to get one worthysof
her skill? Well, she will not go far be-
fore she has picked out a dozen.
Pumpkin pudding is not to be overlooked
in this association. 1t is the best for DEL
icate stomachs. 1t has no crust to COLI
found the digestion. Make it little less
gingery, and as for raisins, if used at ALI
let them be mellow. Why should one spoil
a high bred pudding or pie with seedful
things, that disturb the whole process of
the delicious programme of eating:
Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon; just