i86 



RECREATION. 



ioo bushels to the acre being the ordinary 

 yield. Fine popcorn is also grown on a 

 large scale in some regions of Michigan. 



Observations and experiments ^recently 

 carried on by Professor M. I. Wilbert led 

 to the conclusion that the popping of pop- 

 corn, which is accompanied by such a great 

 change in the size, appearance and texture 

 of the kernel, is caused by the expansion of 

 moisture in the starch cells. It was found 

 that old and dry corn* did not pop readily. 

 Such corn will at best only split open from 

 a number of cells near the center of the 

 corn kernel. If the application of heat be 

 made slowly, it is possible to dry the ker- 

 nels of corn, parch, and even char them 

 without rupturing the outer coat in any 

 way. 



It was also noted that at the base of the 

 kernels, or at the point of attachment to 

 the cob, the cells are less compact and are 

 seldom, if ever, ruptured by the generated 

 steam. It is from this point, too, that the 

 kernels of corn appear to dry most rapidly. 

 The bearing of this point on the theory that 

 popping is caused by the explosion of steam 

 is found in the fact that popcorn invariably 

 bursts first at the densest portion of the 

 kernel, and never at or near its base or 

 point of attachment. 



When old and dry corn was soaked 12 

 hours and then dried for an equal time it 

 did not pop well. If kernels were allowed 

 to dry on the surface for 24 hours longer, 

 the resulting kernels of popped corn were 

 not only large, light and flaky, but had ab- 

 solutely no suggestion of toughness. 



As regards the loss of weight in popping, 

 it was noted that 100 grains of whole or 

 unpopped corn weighed 13 grams, the same 

 quantity partially popped 11 grams, fully 

 popped 9.2 grams, and dried and parched 

 7.5 grams ; a loss of 15, 29 and 42 per cent, 

 respectively. 



In view of what has already been learned, 

 further studies should be made of the 

 changes in cell structure caused by popping, 

 as well as determination of the quantity 

 of material rendered soluble by the heating 

 of the starch. 



LET 'EM RIP! 



The probable extinction of the terrapin as 

 a gastronomical accessory is not regarded 

 by the New York Evening Post with signs 

 of alarm, judging from the following: 



If, at the season of the peach crop's an- 

 nual failure, we must have another discour- 

 aging report regarding some item of our 

 daily victuals and drink, it is best that this 

 should concern the terrapin. Deferring re- 

 spectfully to the opinion of those who have 

 made gustatory delights their life study, the 

 statement can yet be made without fear of 

 contradiction that there is no one of our 



national delicacies which so few people 

 really like. What its own flavor may be 

 very few persons know, since it is disguised 

 as far as possible by an elaborately seasoned 

 sauce. Certain it is that a compound in- 

 distinguishable by any but the highly trained 

 palate from terrapin as usually served, could 

 be made from the kittens put to such excel- 

 lent use by Sam Weller's friend. The Na- 

 tional Fish Commissioner predicts a speedy 

 end of the diamond back unless it be arti- 

 ficially nurtured and protected. Even 

 though, at $150 a dozen, these turtles must 

 be a considerable item in our national wealth 

 there are many millions of our people who 

 would observe their extinction without a 

 sigh. 



PHILANTHROPIC RASTUS. 



GIPSY CRANE. 



A philanthropic nigger sat upon a high 



board fence, 

 Chewin' a reflection of good old common 



sense, 

 While he heard a rooster ctrowin' ! 

 He figured up the policy of peace disturbiu' 



points 

 And reckoned it was nearly time to limber 



up his joints, 

 To silence the rash chicken, that broke the 



country quiet 

 Which fell about the district, with the 



shadows of the night ; 

 But the rooster kept on crowin'. 



The rooster's worthy owner was lost in 



slumber deep ; 

 \ourig Rastus feared the racket would 



disturb his peaceful sleep. 

 How that rooster was a crowin'. 

 In his interest for the farmer, he felt it 



was his duty, 

 To make a brave endeavor to coerce the 



crowin' beauty, 

 Who lacked consideration for his master's 



needed rest, 

 And ingratitude hurt Rastus ; so he felt it 



would be best 

 To stop that rooster's crowin'. 



This nocturnal benefactor soon reached the 



crowing star; 

 With slow and practised footsteps he 



sought the roosting bar. 

 And the rooster quit his crowin'. 

 But in choking off the hens, he awoke 



the slumbering chorus ; 

 They would not accept his blandishments, 



he then attempted force ; 

 But with five disturbers silenced, he felt 



his duty done, 

 And escaped the salt with glory, when the 



farmer fired his gun. 

 Now young Rastus does the crowin'. 



