The Elbert County tribune., 1914-03-20

three inches of snow on the bed The bean hole
was a beloved institution in the old days; there
from drawn the steaming pot of beans that
had remained covered with Goals all night Dun
derfunk" was a fine dish. too; it usually af-
forded Sunday. 1t was made OF parboiled
bread. salt pork and .molasses. deposited in al
ternate rows in the kettle. and when cooked made
delicious pudding. They used to have pies and
such dantes on Sunday too. But in the main
the diet good solid food. and plenty of 1t;
the men had appettes. got away with 1t, felt fine
and made lots of work for the cook. Those indeed
we're the happy days. 1t Is SO different now.
For dainties there were none and biscuits were
unheard of deicacy. Fancy baking sufficient
number Of biscuits to appease the hunger of so
rs husky laborers each with an appetite of
buzz-saw destructiveness! The nearest approach
to biscuits was to be found in what was termed
"bannocks." These in reality overgrown
baking powder biscuits, though. They contained
the same ingredients. but were baked in loaf
form and by the wholesale quantity
But the piece de resistance of the lumberman's
fare was baked beans And who can gansay the
statement that there is enjoyable and
satisfying dish--properly prepared-after having
atented the formal opening of the camp bean
hole?"
Beans were staple article of diet but they
never appeared to pail on the men in camp
huge kettle of this fayorite ration was placed to
boil early In the day. and allowed to simmer for
hours. AT last having been pronounced DONE
preparations for the baking were made A large
hole was dug in the ground and lined with thick
stones. In this opening a roaring fire was kim
died and kept going until the stones and sur.
rounding earth became thoroughly heated Then
the salt pork was carefully distributed among the
contents of the kettle. the cover put in place and
the kettle was lowered into its waiting receptacle
Earth was then placed the top of the kettle
to the depth of several inches and on this roar.
ing fire of pine boughs kindled and kept 60
ing until just before breakfast time in the morn
ing. when the kettle was again brought out of its
resting place and the cover removed
Stories may be written of delicious viands. but
no poem. he 1t ever SO exquisite in construction
and sentiment. could do Justice to the feeling
aroused by the aroma which arose from the bean
kettle and smote upon the olfactory organs of the
hungry men awaiting the feast.
For number of years there has at different
times circulation been given to a report that the
supply of timber is nearing exhaustion. This is
error. True. in some districts. which have been
the scene OF heavy operations for many successive
years. about all the valuable standing ,sne has
been cut. but these areas by no means represent
the supply as whole. There are still vast tracts
virgin pine timber in northern Michigan Wis.
consin and Minnesota This is being cut into Ium.
Der by large concerns and the product marketed
in increasing quantities 1t is estimated that II
will still be great many years before the pine
resources of the northern section of the states
named will be exhausted.