Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-07-05
Canning and Drying.

The question OF plenty or want next
winter depends not only upon what crops
are raised this summer but upon how
well they are cared for; and many lam
lilies will answer il by their skill in saving
The surplus OF garden and orchard. In
August and September they often produce
so much more than the table requires
that some tomatoes. sweet corn and fruit
60 TO waste. The study of modern
methods OF preserving such surplus IS
worth while in every family this year |;
and especial attention should be given TO
inexpensive canning that requires little,
if any, sugar. Tomatoes, for example,
as most housewives know, can be pre-
served by boiling. skimming. sailing and
inclosing them in air-hght jars that
wholesome vegetable ought to be laid by
in large quantities when its season is al
its height, but care should be taken TO see
that only firm, sound huit is used. So
eager are the canning clubs this year,
however, and so scant may be the supply
OF jars and cans, that all necessary uten-
siIs should be provided early in the sea-
son and all wide-necked bottles and
glasses carefully saved.
We ought also TO revive the household
industry Of drying fruits and vegetables.
Our grandparents took care that winter
should not catch them without a gocdly
stock Of dried apples, peaches and green
corn. In following their example we
have convenienees that they lacked.
Their peaches and corn had TO be ex-
posed 10 the sun and too often 10 The
flies and the cat-an excellent vegetarian
where green sweet corn is concerned.
We know that such drying fruits ought
10 be carefully shielded by mosquito net
ting when spread in the sun, and that
when the sun refuses 10 shine the drying
can 90 on in the hot closet OF the kitchen
range. Although ot course only sound
fruit should be used for drying, il is quite
possible 10 save imperfectly shaped fruit
that could hardly be marketed and that
might easily be wasted.
Dried corn. cut green from the cob, is
less common than dried apples and
peaches, but il is easily cured, and in
midwinter seems sometimes sweeier than
The green corn oil August. An old New
England dinner was salt shad with sue
cotosh made from dried sweet corn and
large beans. Salt shad is no longer TO be
had for love or money but If any iamlly
that is staying by the seashore where fish
are plentiful cares 10 salt its catch, even
OF rather coarse fish, and at the same
time 10 dry IFS surplus corn, it can be as
sured next winter Of i combination as ap-
petzing as il is frugal.
The harvest OF eggs in these days
knows no surplus, so great is The demand
Yet, in view OF the certain scarcity and
possible famine Of eggs next winter, II
will prove true economy 10 have a good
store "put down" Thirty dozen can be
safely kept in a stone jar If they are COW
cred with solution OF three pintS OF
commercial water glass the sillcate OF
soda in eighteen quarts OF boiled water.
The eggs must be strictly fresh; and II
is desirable not only that they be infertile
but that they be put down" as early In
the season as possible.
Such are a few Of the household econ
omies that our foreiathers practiced.
Their revival with The aid OF modern
scientific methods will help not only TO
meet The present crisis but also 10 give TO
such as practice them new sense OF
security and independence.