Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1916-12-22

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 corn. Hog-kilIng 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 fanked by a
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 ddewater Vtr-
ginia, plantation know just what hog-killing time
means to host and hostess. All through the coun-
tryside from the hlmbest negro holding to the
largest river estate, preparation for Christmas
begins with hog-killing time for then the corn is
gathered, the woodpile is ready, and farm work in
general is in such condition that all in pretty
good shape for the holidays.
That Christmas GobbIer.
Two weeks before. Christmas the turkey COB
bier generally of the years raising) is singled
out from the flock put up in a Slated coop in the
back yard, fed on sheed corn 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
rejoices in roast turkey stuffed with oysters
bread crumbs, etc. sugar-cured ham (from one
to two years old), crisp celery, Irish and sweet
potatoes (the latter candied), satisfy ana spinach
(aIl grown in the home "gyardin,O macaroni,
and of course cranberry sauce 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.
iS Of n tVDcal plantation
dinner; others will be III proportion to the taste
and means of the diners but 1t can be safely as
serted that nowhere would a guest or a stranger
sit down to a meager feast on this day, for even
the negroes have prepared most Literally Tor tne
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 are witnesses to the sea-
son of jollity. Family portraits of ancestors, now
long laid at rest are 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
glass of eggnog or toddy is taken by the
gentlemen as they go into breakfast. After this
meal the company will separate. 1t is possible
that some of the party will 90 to the Colonial
church in the neighborhood for morning service.
The ancient brick edfce Will 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
snts are taken to church for neighbors who live at
4 distances happy inexpensive recollections of the
season. but approximately indicative OF the mo-
nentous occasion. Back from church, home toiks
and guests are ready for dinner.
Hunting Parties
The east Virginians have ever shown q penchant
FOR hunting and chasing the fox behind Il good
pack of hounds has always been a sport par ex-
.eence. This sport still exists in the country dis
riots, and in spite of wire fences, now almost