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The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Types of jars or cans for home use. — There are many kinds of fruit jars 

 on the market. The question is frequently asked, " Which jar is the best 

 to choose? " The answer is, choose the jar which is simplest in con- 

 struction, which will seal perfectly and wash easily, which protects the 

 contained food against contact with metals, which has the fewest parts 

 to lose or misplace, which fits the shelves and receptacles planned to hold 

 it. The type of can that seems to give the most general satisfaction is 

 one having a glass cover clamped on with some metal device. Several 

 jars of that kind are shown in the appended illustration. If possible, tin 

 cans should be avoided in home canning; for food may have some action 



Fig. 83. — Types of jars for home use 



on the tin, and it is now believed that the tin salts resulting from such 

 action may be harmful. 



Rubbers. — Use new can-rubbers with each year's product of canned 

 food. Old rubber loses its elasticity and its use may cause imperfect 

 sealing and thus endanger the keeping quality of the food. Care should 

 be given to the selection of good rubber, for even new rubber may be stiff, 

 inelastic, and hard. 



To test a jar. — Before using a jar for canning food, it should be 

 tested. The testing is accomplished by partly filling the jar with 

 water, adjusting cover and rubber, sealing, and inverting the jar. 

 If it leaks, examine to find whether the leakage is owing to an imperfect 

 jar or to a poor rubber. If the jar is imperfect, reserve it for use in 

 canning pickles or some food that does not require sealing. 



Other utensils. — The utensils needed for canning vary with the method 

 of canning to be followed. If foods are to be stewed, agateware or alumi- 

 num is best to use. Tin, iron, or copper should be avoided if acid foods 

 are to be cooked. When the newer method of steaming foods in the glass 

 jars that are to contain them, is followed, some large receptacle for holding 

 the jars in an upright position is necessary. The clothes boiler is admirable 

 for this purpose, as it will hold a number of jars of various sizes. To pre- 

 vent bumping and cracking of the glass jars, a wooden rack is needed for 

 the bottom of the boiler; the jars should not touch one another. The 

 accompanying illustration shows a rack simple enough to be made by 

 even the inexpert woman. If the clothes boiler is an impossibility, a 



