The broad ax., 1917-12-22
MUST WATCH FOOD
HousEkEEPER's RESPONSIBILITY
IN THE HOT WEATHER.
Almost Every Variety viii Quickly
Spoil Unless Especial Care 10
Taken-Points Of Importance
Worth Remembering.

An additional responsibility is
brought TO the housekeeper In the hot
season, writes Mrs. Christine Fred
erick In the Chicago News. She must
pay greater attention to her food sup
plies and the way they are kept. 1t is
In periods of high temperature that all
foods, and particularly meat, milk and
fruits, are likely to spoil and decay.
The laboratory is not so far distant
from the kitchen and, indeed, the best
housekeepers are those who make Ia
! boratory out of their kitchen and fol-
low In it the principles that science
has proved. 1t is undisputed that there
are minute organisms or bacteria in
the air which feed on our foods. There
are also In the foods themselves GER
tain substances which, while not alive,
are the products. of living things and
which cause fruits to ripen, seeds to
grow, etc.
Both these causes result In deterior
alton or decay of the food unless they
are prevented. Bacteria of various
kinds and allied plant organisms like
mold attack and break down food It's
sue, causing the food to become unfit
for use. Now, there are about three
ways In which the housewife can pre-
vent food from deteriorating:
1. By keeping the food in a low
temperature, as with the icebox, etc.
2. By sterilizing and killing the bac-
terra by means Of a high temperature.
3. By the use Of certain preserva-
tives, as sugar, salt, vinegar, spices,
etc.
The first means entails constant SUI
pervisiOn of the refrigerator. Newspa-
pers should not be used on the shelves
or on the ice. as this prevents proper
circulation of air and may cause the
box to become bad smelling and damp.
the very conditions under which bac-
terra flourish most. II should be kept
clean and foods properly placed in II.
Overripe fruit. hot or even warm foods. |
strong smelling foods. like onions and |
bananas. should never be placed in the |
box. Small quantities OF leftovers |
should be covered with glass or agate
saucers and On\: glass. china or ngate |!
should be used In which to lay away /
food.
The second point can be followed by /
cooking u quantity Of food which
seems to be on the point of spelling. A
box OF berries can be saved by stewing
with sugar. Milk which undoubtedly
would not keep until the next morning
will be satisfactory IL scalded. Many
other foods which might become sub
ject to mold or spOliatiOn can be saved
by being thus cooked or sterilized and
perhaps canned temporarily.
Salt, sugar and vinegar are helpful,
natural personalities. Their addition
to many fruits and vegetables will
make them keep" several days longer
than IL they were not used. For in
stance, beets, string beans, cucumber.
ETC., which in warm weather cannot be
allowed to stand over night unless In a
very low temperature. will be perfectly
preserved II covered with weak sOlu-
ton of vinegar or brine. Soups and
all twice cooked foods like stews, etc,
are particularly likely to ferment and
should be watched carefully. All con-
tanners of food must be allowed suffi-
cient air aud not closed when the foods
are still warm.