Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-19
Conducted BY
BETSY CASWELL
DARK FRUIT CAKE.
mrs. T. o., Washington

mrs. T. o., Washington
Mrs. L. S. K. Washington:
I recently finished my Christ
mas fruitcakes which were
baked in one-pound shorten
ing cans. Here is my recipe
for a delicious cake:
Four and one half cups Zone
pound sifted cake flour, tea
spoon baking powder. u tea
spoon cloves, u teaspoon Gin
namon, u teaspoon mace, l
pound shortening, pound dark
brown sugar, 10 eggs well
beaten), "a pound candied cher
ries, cut in half; " pound can
died pineapple, diced; l pound
dates, seeded and sliced; l
pound raisins, / pound currants.
" pound citron, thinly sliced;
u pound candied orange and
lemon peel. sliced; "a pound
nut meats chopped, / cup honey.
cup molasses and u cup apple
cider.
Sift flour, baking powder and
spices together 3 times. Cream
shortening and sugar until
fluffy. Add eggs, fruit (mixed
with about l cup Of flour mix
ture), nuts, honey, molases and
cider. All flour in small
amounts, mixing we'll after each
addition. Turn into pans which
have been creased, lined with
heavy brown paper and creased
again. Bake in a very slow
oven CPS degrees) for about
2la hours or until a toothpick
comes out clean when stuck
into the center. Another test
is to press the center lightly
with index finger. Cake Is
done when cake comes immedi-
ately back to normal and no in
dentation is left. Put about 8
jiggers of brandy on top and
sides with a pastry brush the
next day. Wrap well with
aluminium foil. In about 3
weeks unwrap and rebrandy.
This is the most delicious fruit
cake I have ever tasted. This
recipe makes 10 pounds Of cake.
x X X
HOUSE PROBLEM?
KEEPING CHILD COVERED?
Mrs. F. M. ~, Washington
Your column Is superb real
friend in a strange city.
We have just purchased q
house which we are painting
ourselves. Two interior walls
are Of knotty pine and am
wondering if some kind reader
might be able to give us in
formation as to how it could be
finished to give the nice warm
color and low sheen often seen
in professional jobs.
Also, in finishing our wood
work, does any one know how
we can achieve a uniform depth
of color on doors. frame arches
and mouldings that differ inso-
far as the darkness of the wood
is concerned.
. One other problem. Does
any one have a suggestion to
offer for keeping a 13-month-
old child covered during the
night?
Many thanks for any help re-
ceived.
49, y II
PLANTING AVOCADOS.
maj. B. T. D'A., Arlinoton)
For Mrs. S. r. F.. Washing
ton: Whether this is in agree
ment with the horticulturistS
or not, I cannot say. However.
I have grown several avocados
to height Of 4 feet or so for
gifts to friends. This is my
successful method:
Allow sprout to grow to at
least 81 inches. Plant in a
porous clay pot allowing 6
inches of the plant to extend
above the dirt and allowing at
least 4 inches of soil below the
seed. This takes quite large
pot.
Use a sweet soil-my mixture
is equal parts of humus, sand,
clay and loan. Water thor.
every three or four days.
Do not use chemical fertilizers.
Our plants love sunlight. and
during the winters we placed
them near our most-used table
lamp. Cold seems to retard
them and they thrive on warm,
even Temperatures.