USEFUL WILD PLANTS 



then stored away for future use in the house or in 

 huge storage baskets set outdoors on platforms that 

 are raised on legs above the reach of rodents, and 

 form a picturesque feature of primitive rancherias. 

 The acorns for immediate consumption are divested 

 of the shells by cracking, and the kernels then re- 

 duced to the finest possible powder by grinding in 

 the stone mortar, it having been found that digesti- 

 bility depends upon thorough grinding. 



The next step is to get rid of the bitterness, which 

 persists through all the milling. 



Every acorn-eating family maintains beside the 

 nearest water a primitive leaching plant, varying 

 more or less in the details of its make-up, but con- 

 sisting primarily of a loose, concave nest of twigs, 

 leaves or pine needles raised a foot or two above 

 the ground and ensuring perfect drainage. Over 

 this is stretched a piece of porous cloth — a clean 

 burlap will do — sagging, basin-like, in the middle, 

 upon which the meal is spread evenly about half an 

 inch thick. Water, warm or cold, is then poured 

 carefully over this and allowed to filter through, 

 more being added from time to time until the bitter- 

 ness is entirel}^ leached away. The length of time 

 required for this differs according to the variety of 

 acorns used, some being less bitter than others. 



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