HOME HELPS. 317 



baking, is put into this pot, which is set into a mass of hot 

 ashes, covered over, or a fire is kindled around it, bottom, 

 sides and top. It is a hasty process, entailing close watch- 

 fulness, and risks of burnt fingers and clothes, and swear- 

 words at times, when the man is called on to come and help 

 over a difficulty. It is altogether a barbarous arrangement, 

 and should be beneath the notice of a man who can use 

 brains and hands. An oven is easily made. An iron nail or 

 oil-can makes a good one. Set it lengthways upon stones 

 or bricks, sufficiently high to save the wife from stooping 

 any more than is necessary to get fire under it. Then cover 

 the oven body round with a sheet of iron or anything that 

 will stand fire, leaving about an inch of clear space between 

 the iron drum or oven and the cover. Over the latter put 

 a layer of clay, working it well to make it stick and prevent 

 cracking ; the thicker the clay the longer it will hold heat ; 

 the more it is worked the less it cracks. Leave an outlet 

 for smoke at the top or back of the oven. Fit a lid of wood 

 or iron to the mouth of it. Put in a shelf to form a sole. 

 Use iron-bark or diy gum-bark for the tire, and there you 

 have an oven, not much to look at, perhaps, but it is all 

 there for baking anything from a biscuit to a roast fit 

 for a man that is able and willing to work for the best food 

 in the land. He deserves it. But he who allows his wife 

 to destroy temper and fingers over an iron pot deserves the 

 burnt offerings that are often found in such barbarisms. 

 Colonial ovens, on the above correct principle, that is, with 

 a confined space for fire or hot air round the sides and top, 

 are made of iron and sold in the towns. Ovens are also 

 made of brick and stone, or by scooping out a white-ant 

 nest, and are heated by kindling afire inside until sufficient 

 heat is gained ; then put in the article to be baked, and close 

 up the front tight to keep in the heat until the cooking is 

 completed. On a pinch, bread can be baked in red-hot 

 ashes ; ashes from bark are the best ; or by heating stones, 

 as is done in the South Sea Islands, putting the bread or 

 meat amongst them, and covering up the whole until the 

 baking is completed. 



Baking Powder. A good article is made by mixing 

 3 oz. tartaric acid, 5 oz. bi-carbonate of soda, and Alb. of 



