i66 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



July, 1910 



Packing the box with hay 



The box for the cooker 



Fitting the can in place in the cooker 



is impossible to give a definite code of rules by which to 

 work. Sometimes double the length of time allowed for 

 fire cooking will be sufficient. On the other hand, for a sub- 

 stance which is very close and fibrous, twelve hours would 

 not be too long. Experience is therefore needed before an 

 exact table of times can be reckoned, but practice with the 

 cooker will soon make perfect in this respect. It is a good 

 plan to keep for reference a list of the length of time given 

 to each article. 



With a little contrivance it is possible even in a box with 

 only one compartment to cook two or three dishes at a time, 

 though before a very elaborate menu can be attempted it 

 will be necessary to have a cooker with two or more spaces 

 in it. However, one article can be cooked in the can, another 

 in the inner jar, and a third in a basin which will fit down 

 into the top of the latter, so it will be seen that it is possible 



to produce a very passible luncheon or breakfast with a 

 single box only. Great speed is necessary in transferring 

 the can boiling hot from the fire to the cooker. The food 

 will not cook properly if there is any delay in this part of 

 the proceeding. Also on no account must the box be opened 

 till everything is done, or it will let in the cold air. 



The cooker is so clean in its way of working, that should 

 it be required in any part of the house other than the 

 kitchen, it can be placed there without inconvenience. It 

 is a good plan to provide the box with two strong handles 

 so that it may be easily carried. It may also be decorated 

 outside or covered with muslin so that till it is opened it 

 will look like an ornamental box. An old oak chest, turned 

 into a hay box cooker would make a novel and exceedingly 

 useful wedding present to a young couple about to start 

 housekeeping in a small establishment of their own. - 



All kinds of joints can be cooked to perfection in the hay box 



Food will be found scalding hot even after twelve hours in the cooker 



