Evening star., 1930-10-03

4 NdlLDHEN are 1aVoranly lnnuenceo
by table appointments suited 70
their age. For very young children who
eat In the nursery, or who have table
suited to their size in a corner of the
cllinaware decorated with Mother Goose
figures or with designs showing cats,
dogs, or other animals. Tables painted
with figures in gay colors are interesting,
and the varieties to choose from are
numerous. To use on a plain table, a
tablecloth or doilieS may be embroidered
with animals In various colcrs, and in
outline stitch. The work is easily done,
and any mother would enjoy working on
Trays for children's use may be
bought in all sorts Of designs, shapes
and sizes, but quite as satisfactory as a
tray are the place mats Of similar size,
made OF the new waterproof materials.
They are not rubberized. but are treated
with oil or with pyroxylin. There are
several varieties of this fabric, including
glazed chintE. They are wiped clean
with a damp cloth, do not fray, and
wear well, and can be bought in bright
colors.
Children are naturally hospitable so
that their training in little social affairs
should begin in early childhood. Moth
ers should make the small friends Of
their children welcome and let the chill
dren occasionally serve refreshments Of
some kind to their guests, always with
the understanding that the children
will clear away and put everything in
place afterward. There Is no more
pleasant way Of intoxicating feeling of
genuine hospitality or of bringing about
an easy manner than by allowing chill
dren to have parties. and giving them a
large share of the responsibility for max
ing them successful, and the rule works
both ways, as the small guests learn also
the gentle art Of receiving hospitality.
Important Food.
Vegetables and fruits are an I'm
p0rtant but often neglected part of
childs diet. They ought to be served
at least once q day. Vegetables may
be used as fiavoring for soups and
stews. may be added to milk or meat
stews or may be served with meat
gravy. II gravy is used, it should not
be too fat nor be made with scorched
fat. Young children may be given the
young and tender parts of celery and
lettuce, satisfactory way Of serving
being In the form Of sandwiches. For
this purpose they should be slightly
salted and the celery should be chopped
or cut into small pieces.
steaming,. boiling, baking and stew
ing are good ways to prepare vegetables
for children. The Juice in which they
are cooked should be used with them
or added to soups or stews, as this Is
nourishing. When cooking vegetables
use only small amount Of water, iust
enough to cover. Green vegetables,
such % peas. spinach and cabbage,
taste best when cooked until tender,
but not until they have lost their form
and havur.
Vegetables for children should be
served either quite simply or with q
little milk. cream or butter, to improve
or vary the favor These simple meth
DDS are better than frying or scallop-
ing. For the smallest children such
vegetables as green's should be finely.
chopped, and II the tougher portions Of
other vegetables are found to disagree
with child, these portions can be re.
through sieve. Radishes and cucum-
bers should not be given to small chill
dren.
All vegetables. whether served raw or
cooked, require very careful cleaning.
Large vegetables, like potatoes and car
rots, should be scrubbed with a brush.
Greens should be washed leaf By leaf
under running water or in q large
amount OF water. If cleaned this way,
lift the vegetables from the water ii.
stead OF pouring the water of.
Fruits supply mild acids, and are also
important for their flavor, for their
laxative effects and for other reasons.
The laxative effect is well recognized in
the general use Of orange Juice, prIlnes
and apples. Fruits, like vegetables, also
have mineral elements which the body
requires. Fruit should be served in some
form once . day. Fruit juices and the
pulp OF cooked fruit, baked apples and
pears and stewed prunes are good.
Whether the skins should be given de-
pends partly upon the age and health
Of the child and partly on the way the
fruit Is prepared. II the skins are very
tender, they are not likely TO cause
trouble. except with very young chill
dren. When apples and pears are baked,