HOME ECONOMICS FOR SOUTHERN SCHOOLS. 25 
effect of a cold plunge, it decreases considerably the tendency to catch - 
cold. Toilet soaps should never contain a large excess of alkali. 
They should be made of pure fat. Perfume is frequently used to 
hide poor materials in soap making. The amount of water present 
in the soap determines the hardness of the latter. Since the way in 
which soap ‘‘spends’’ depends upon this hardness, it is wise to let the 
cake stand exposed to air for a while before using it. 
References.—Books on personal hygiene and household chemistry. 
Correlation.—English: Outline ways in which running water can 
be put into a detached farmhouse; ashower bath improvised. Deter- 
mine the difference in the time a soft cake of soap lasts compared with 
a hard cake of the same kind. 
LESSON 52. 
Problem.—To cook dried fruit. 
Points to be brought out.—Slow cooking helps to soften dried fruit 
and makes it absorb more completely the water lost indrying. Soak- 
ing is valuable as a means of decreasing the length of time necessary 
for cooking. 
References.—Langworthy: Raisins, Figs, and Other Dried Fruits, 
and Their Use, U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook Separate 610; Farmers’ 
Bul. 771. 
Correlation.—Arithmetic: Determine the percentage of water ab- 
sorbed in cooking soaked and unsoaked dried fruit. Compare the 
composition of cooked dried fruit with fresh fruit. 
Supplementary topic—tlList the kinds of dry fruit available, with 
prices. (Stores and catalogues.) 
LESSON 53. 
Problem.—¥ood as building material. 
Points to be brought out.—Food does two things in the body—it fur- 
nishes energy and it furnishes the material from which the body fluids 
and tissues are formed. About 6 per cent of the body is made up of 
mineral material, and unless this is supplied in the food we soon see 
the effects of such a deficiency. It is ordinarily conceded that suffi- 
cient mineral matter is present in the diet as usually selected. This 
is true only if we select our foods wisely and prepare them so as to 
retain as much as possible of this mineral material. 
References.—U. 8. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Buls. 185 and 227. 
Oorrelation.—Chemistry: List the elements present in the body. 
Divide them into two groups, acidic and basic. 
LESSON 54. 
Problem.—To prepare mashed potatoes. These should be cooked 
in different ways—baked, boiled with the skin on, boiled with the 
skin off, and boiled after being peeled and cut into cubes. Cream each, 
