Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-12-16

Perhaps 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 a 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 a
baked ham two years old and sugar-cured. 1t
will all furnish mighty good eating for visitors
who drop in for little while. but have time
to stay to the regular dinner.
Those who have spent years a tidewater vfr-
gina, plantation know just what hog killing time
means to host and hostess. All through the
tryside, from the humblest gro holding to the
largest river estate, preparation for Christmas
Deelns with gkilling time, for then the
gathered the woodpile is ready, and farm work in
general is in such condition all are in pretty
good shape for the holidays.
That Christmas GobhIer.
Two weeks before Christmas the turkey poh
bier generally of the years rasing) is singled
out from the flock, put up a Slated COOP in the
back yard, fed on shelled till he in proper
condition. killed the day before Christmas hung
up on the north side of the porch and next day
when cooked in the od-tme 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 candied), satisfy and spinach
Gall grown in the home "gyardin,") macaroni
and. of course. cranberry sauce for the turkey.
The dessert consists of jelly (plenty of wine for
sease 2r-sS), blanc mango both white and choco-
late, meringues. fruits. such Malaga grapes,
roSy-cheeked apples bananas and oranges Wine
is served at table and n 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 the taste
and means of the diners, but it be safely as
serted that nowhere would a guest or a 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. Mantels
halls. and even bedrooms witnesses to the sea-
of jollity. Family portraits of ancestors now
long laid at rest. honored with a wreath of
green and the red berries of the holly Christmas
greeting from the stern canvas
What the social customs that emphasize this
season in Underwater, Virginia? On Christmas
morning glass of eggnog teddy is taken by the
gentlemen as they into breakfast. After this
meal. the company will separate. 1t is possible
that some OF the party will go to- the Colonial
church in the neighborhood for morning service
The ancient brick edifice will always have been
decorated by loving hands for this season
Wreaths of evergreen intertwine walls, chancel
and pulpit.
The morning service over the congregation ex-
change Christmas greetings outside. Some pres
ents are taken to church for neighbors who live
season. but appreciativey indicative of the
mentous occasion Back from church. home folks
and guests are ready for dinner.
Hunting Parties.
The east Virgnians have ever shown a penchant
for hunting, and chasing the fox behind a good
pack of hounds has always been a sport par ex-
cellence. This sport still the country
,uicts, and in spite OF wire fences. almost