The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-12-16

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ILLS of gifts and turkey.
Perhaps the first sign of Christmas
is the killing of the fat hogs, which have taken
on flesh rapidly since they were put up and hard
ened on good, sound ear corn. Hog-killing time
means generous supply of fresh" in other
words sausage. sparerib chine. cheese-sOuse, pigs
feet and of course, that fresh pork ham baked
during Christmas week. This is hanked by
baked ham two years old and sugar-cured. 1t
will all furnish mighty good eating for visitors
who drop in for a little while but have not time
to stay to the regular dinner.
Those who have spent years on a tidewater Vir-
gnia, plantation know just what hog-killing time
means to host and hostess. All through the coun-
tryside, from the humblest negro holding to the
largest river estate, preparation for Christmas
begins with hog-killing time, for then the is
gathered, the wOOdpiIe is ready and farm work in
general is in such condition that all are in pretty
good shape for the holidays.
That Christmas GobbIer.
Two weeks before Christmas, the turkey COB
bier Generally of the years rasing) is singled
out from the flock, put up in a Slated GOOD in the
back yard fed on shelled till he is in proper
condition, killed the day before Christmas hung
up on the north side of the porch and next day.
when cooked in the old-time kitchen by an old
time negro Kitchen queen" forms the piece-de-
resistance for the big dinner. The Christmas
menu rejOices in roast turkey stuffed with oysters
bread crumbs, etc. a sugar-cured ham (from one
TO two years old, crisp celery, Irish and sweet
potatoes (the latter candfed), satisfy and spinach
Gall grown in the home 'gyardn,") macaroni,
and, of course cranberry for the turkey.
The dessert consists of jelly (plenty of wine for
seasoning), blanc mango, both white and choco-
late, meringUeS fruits, such Malaga grapes,
rOsy-cheeked apples, bananas and oranges. Wine
is served at table and toddy of whisky, sugar
and water, with dash of nutmeg, will most likely
be taken by the gentlemen beforehand at the side
board. RoquefOrt cheese and coffee end the feast.
This menu is indicative of a typical plantation
dinner: others will be in proportion to the taste
and means of the diners, but 1t can be safely as
serted that nowhere would guest or stranger
sit down to a meager feast this day, for
the negroes have prepared most literally for the
great occasion.
Christmas Decorations.
The good old custom of decorating the houses
for Christmas still obtains, and the generous
supply of holly. running cedar and pine. growing
in the Virginia woods, is used. Mansion, farm
house and cottage all decorated. AIantels,
halls, and even bedrooms witnesses to the
son of jOrity. Family portraits of ancestors, now
long laid at rest. honored with wreath of
green and the red berries of the holly, Christmas
greeting from the stern canvas.
What are the social customs that emphasize this
season in Tidewater, Virginia? On Christmas
morning glass of eggnog teddy is taken by the
gentlemen as they go into breakfast. After this
meal, the company will separate. It is possible
that of the party viii go TO the Colonial
church in the neighbOrhood for morning service.
The ancient brick edifce viii always have been
decorated by loving hands for this season.
Wreaths of evergreen intertwine on walls chancel
and pulpit.
The morning service over, the congregation ex-
change Christmas greetings outside Some pres
ents are taken to church neighbors who live at
distance; happy, inexpensive recoliectOns of the
season, but appreciatively Indicative Of the mo
mentous occasion Back from church, home folks
and guests are ready for dinner.
Hunting Parties.
The east Virginians have ever shown penehant
for hunting and chasing the fox behind good
pack of hounds has always been sport par ex-
ceIIence This sport still exists in the country dis
tricts. and in spite OF wire fences. now almost