The Washington times., 1934-07-11

me that the R.t.w C..mom
ice could re-
main there so long,!
Watermelons were kept in the
dco house, and, whenever the
hOuseboy was sent for one, or
to get an extra piece Of ice, all
OF us would trot after him, wait
ing for that thrilling moment
when he opened the padlocked
door, and for the rush of chill
cir that swept out to us.
We would all crowd around
the opening, while he descended
the ladder onto the straw, and
the oldest among us would be
handed up the melon, all
beaded with frost, to hold until
he climbed out again.
Housekeeping Boon
Then, in town, there was
always the clop-clop of the
ice wagon horses hoofs, the
jingling of the scales hanging
by the tailgate, and the for
hidden bits Of ice to be Scooped
OF the floor of the wagon
when mother wasn't looking.
In those days, the ladies
we're just beginning to be pretty
falSsy about assuring themselves
that the ice was artificial"
and not cut from a mosquito
infested pond in the neighbor-
hood-germS were in their hey
day, and much discussed among
nervous mammaS.
: With the entrance Of the
FIRST mechanical refrigerator,
7 felt; pretty much the way I
did when the. last of the fire
horses was pensioned-that a
lot Of the picturesque quality
1 life was rapidly leaving it.
However, must admit that
the modern ice-making system
il one Of the greatest house.
keeping boonS I have ever met,
along with plenty Of hot run
ming water, and electric light.
A good refrigerator insures,
not only a cooling, appetizing
meal, but also your family's
health and well-being.
Storing Foods
When storing the various
perishable foods, such as milk,
cream, soup stock, meat and
fish, be sure that they are
placed In the coldest part of
the box. IF milk and meat arc
to be kept more than two days,
the temperature of their Stor-
age should be As degrees F., or
below.
Butter, eggs. salad materials,
fruits and vegetables, which
are less fragile, can be kept
in good condition even if placed
in the warmer part of the re-
frigerator, where the tempera-
ture is about SO degrees F.
To insure an even tempera-
ture, keep the doors closed at
all times except when you are
actually taking something out
Of the box, or replacing it in.
side. Be sure the doors are
shut tight, and if in doubt
about the degree of cold in
the various parts Of your ice
box, take its temperature"
with a good standard ther-
finometer, early in the morning,
when the doors are opened for
the first time.
= If the icebox is placed in an
excessively warm room, you
will have to set the cold con-
troll to maintain the internal
temperature that you wish.
Reduces OdOrs
a. Keep most foods in covered
containers, as this reduces odorS,
and one food will not impart
its own flavor to its neighbor.
Meat is an exception to this
general rule, and should be kept
only lightly covered, if at all.
Berries are another exception
they should be taken out Of
their basket, spread apart, and
left uncovered.
Desserts and salads that are
placed in the refrigerator to
merely become chilled for q
short time need not be covered.
Once a week, all food should
be taken out of the compart-
ments, and the entire inside
washed with a solution of soda
and warm water. Ice trays
should be scrubbed with hot
water and soda twice a week
and don't forget the racks
which form the cubes, either!
BY the way. very few Of US
make enough artistic use Of our
Ice trays. Try, jome time, in
the tray used for ice-cubeS for
iced tea, or iced drinks, placing
the tip, or blossom end Of q
Sprig of mint in the center OF
the cube, before freezing.
When ready to use, out come
the cubes, with their bit Of mint