Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-25

packages 10 dry out fade or wilt.
Another value Of this prc-sort-
ing plan is 10 conserve space;
thus. lbs Of spinach, the usual
quantity for medium family,
can be packed into a small glass
container if the ribs are removed,
while if left as is, there would be
no room for such a large hagful
in the usual crowded storage.
The same point holds when
buying berries. To leave them in
their original basket or box may
preclude their being put into the
refrigerator for lack Of space.
But, If Immediately picked over.
cleaned, and sorted, some for
quick stewing, others to lay out
on shallow tray, storage space
will be conserved, and the food
can be put instantly under refrig-
Grafton.
.NWING TO gas rationing and
~ other factors which compl-
cate shopping and marketing, il
will be the tendency TINS Summer
to buy many vegetables and
fruits in quantity in order TO save
a second or third weekly buying
trip. What then?
Here is where the home handy
man may have TO exert his skill
and build some simple special
bins, shelves or platforms for
keeping perishables in quantity,
cool until needed. The cellar, if
cool, is ideal; so too, often, is the
garage; what todays home really
needs under present conditions is
a modern version of the old root
cellar or cave so universal an ad-
junct of the old.fashioned farm
house.
A platform about 6 feet by 4
feet has been found by the writer
in her country home TO be an eX-
cellent and simple fixture TO help
keep perishables in good condi-
ton. Locate in the coolest. driest F..
part of the cellar; make out of
tongue and groove lumber OF
Stats, Leave space between Stats
and raise platform at least 10
inches from the floor On this
root-vegetables, melons and fruits
of the season may be arranged so
there is plenty Of air under and
around them they are kept clean
and easy TO reach.
Sufficient ventilation is the
secret Of keeping perishable vege-
tables and fruits without true re-
frigeration. Never keep oranges
in a bag. for instance. The weight
of those on top will cause those
lower 10 rot; all fruits, such as
tomatoes or melons which have a
similar pulpy texture, should be
stored only one-level high, to
allow cool air to circulate, and |
have no weight to smash down !
the lower layers. The same with !
berries, grapes, etc
Sometimes an old cabinet type
Of wooden locker or cupboard
may have the entire front section
removed and replaced by wire
screening, and a few holes made
IN the rear for cross ventilation.
The old-fashioned hanging pie
shelf may again be duplicated:
this was a crude wooden shelf or
little closet, suspended from the
cellar ceiling and encascd in wire
netting, so il was free from
rodent and insect depredations. It
viii prove just as valuable today
in many suburban house where
marketing can be done but seldom
and where foods must be saved
from every spoilaEc agent.
Mention Of rodents recalls that
beans, peas, rice, cereals and
dried fruits, If we are lucky
enough 20 have them, must be
stored safely in tin canisters,
never in loose paper bags, or even
in unprotected paper packages.
Look over your whole storage
| problem. scour and set out in the
sun the tin canisters before put
ting in new food supplies buy
some glass canisters too, just
seen in the shops or glass pre-.
serving jars with tight glass lids,
20 prevent the inroads of insects
on your cereal, sugar and dry
| provisions.
In places where space is ample,
the good old gray crock will
again do duty; the heavy crock
or stoneware, seen always in the
past on the farm, had heavy lids