430 



Reading-Course for Farmers' Wives. 



II. SUPPLEMENT TO BULLETIN NO. 3 ON " PRACTICAL 



HOUSEKEEPING." 



In connection with practical housekeeping, the keeping of fires, the 

 cost of fuel and the proper cooking of food afford much material for 

 thought. The kitchen fire has seen a series of improvements since the 

 time of the great chimneys in the back of which hung the " lug pole " of 

 green wood from which were suspended the pot hooks and kettles, often 

 the precious possessions of the family. 



In strong contrast to the utensils of various sizes, shapes and materials 

 now covering a stove, were the heavy iron or brass kettles few in number 

 which hung above the crackling fire. Here the vegetables were often 

 boiled in one pot and the chimney place was so large that an entire beef 

 might be roasted at one time. 



" A fireplace filled the room one side 

 With half a cord of wood in — 

 There warn't no stoves (tell comfort died) 

 To bake ye to a puddin.'' — Lowell. 



Then came the bake oven, the stoves, the ranges, the gas plates, the 

 electric heaters, and the Aladdin ovens. 



In the German army for 

 some years the " Hay Box " 

 has been used to advantage, 

 and it is recommended to 

 housewives as a means of 

 saving fuel and securing good 

 results in cooking cereals, 

 chicken, macaroni, or any- 

 thing requiring long, slow 

 cooking or steaming. 



It may be only a close, 

 wooden box with good cover 

 lined with hay, asbestos, cork 

 or other non-conducting mate- 

 rial. The principle is to re- 

 tain the heat which is gen- 

 erated by use of any ordinary 

 coal gas or oil fire. Nests 

 should be made in the hay in 

 which will fit closely the pots containing the articles to be cooked. The 

 f';o'l is to be brought to tlic boiling point in utensils which may be very 

 closely covered and placed in the nests prepared in the hay or other non- 

 conducting material with which the box is lined. The box must be closed 



'• The Hay Box." 



