1865. 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
93 
" A good roasted potato is a delicacy -wortli a 
dozen compositions of tlie cook booli; yet wlicn 
we asli foi- it, what burnt, shriveled abortions are 
presented to us ! Biddy rushes to her potato basket 
and pours out two dozen of different sizes, some 
having in them three times the amount of matter 
of others. These being washed, she tumbles them 
into her oven at a leisure interval, and there lets 
them lie till it is time to serve breakfast, whenever 
that may be. As a result, if the largest are cooked, 
the smallest are presented in cinders, and the in- 
termediate sizes arc withered and watery. Nothing 
is so utterly ruined by a few moments of over- 
doing. That which at the right moment was 
plump with mealy richness, a quarter of an hour 
later shrivels and becomes watery — and it is in this 
state that roast potatoes are most frequently served. 
"In the same manner we have seen boiled potatoes 
from an untaught cook coming upon the table like 
lumps of yellow w.ax — .and the same article, the 
day after, under the direction of a skillful mistress, 
appearing in snowy balls of powdery lightness. In 
the one case, they were thrown in their skins into 
water, and suffered to soak or boil, as the case 
might be, at the cook's leisure, and after thej- were 
boiled, to stand in the water till she was ready to 
peel them. In the other case, the potass being 
first peeled, were boiled as quickly as possible in 
salted water, which, the moment they were done 
was drained off, and then they ivere gently shaken 
for a minute or two over the fire to dry them still 
more thoroughly. We have never yet seen the po- 
tato so depraved and given over to evil that 
could not be reclaimed by this mode of treatment. 
"As to fried potatoes, who that remembers the crisp, 
golden slices of the French restaurant, thin as 
wafors and light as snow flakes, does not speak re- 
spectfully of them? What cousiuship with these, 
have those coarse, greasy masses of sliced potato, 
wholly sogged aud partly burnt, to which we are 
treated under the name of fried potatoes o la Amer- 
ica? Our city restaurants are introducing the 
French article to great acceptance, and to the vindi- 
cation of the fair fame of this queen of vegetables." 
rarniers* FriUt Cake— Coutributed by 
-Mrs. E. Smith, Plymouth Co., Mass.: So.ak 3 cups 
of dried apples over night in warm water ; chop 
(slightly) in the morning and then simmer 3 hours 
in 2 cups of molasses. Add 2 eggs, 1 cup of sugar, 
1 cup of sweet milk, ^{ cup of batter, 1)^ te.aspoon- 
fuls of soda, flour to make a rather thick batter; 
spice to suit the taste. Bake in a quick oven. 
Saner Kraut. — Contributed to the Ameri- 
cnn AfjricuUnrist by il. S. Baldwin. Cut cabbage 
line, sprinkle with brown sugar at the rate of i lbs. 
to the barrel. Leave out salt, which may be added 
to suit the taste when used. Place it in a barrel 
and pound down well as the filling proceeds. It 
should bo pressed so tight that the juice shall cover 
the cabbage. It will be lit for use in 10 to 1.5 davs. 
]B©¥i <^ iltlEILS^ '(0©iI.infMMio 
** A Happy iVe^v Year " 
To all the Girls and Boys of the Agriculturist fninily, 
inclmlin? the giown-upones. Hearts need not grow olii, 
though heads wiiiten and hands tremhlewilh age. None 
of us can lift the curtain which hiiles the events of the 
year tSGo^ but if we start with the purpose, as well as 
the wish, that the year shall be a happy one to all, we 
need not fear what comins; lime will bring. Suppose 
that every reader resolves to aiM to the Iiappiness of sotne 
one, each day of this year ; there ^vill be not less than 
500,000 persfins benefited daily. It m eJ not cost a great 
effort to t!o this. ThereisJolin. just entering liisfifieenili 
year, and grown almost as tall as his mother, who is 
p'-oiid of lier manly looking boy. But John begins to 
tliiiik himself loo big to mind liis mother, and thnl it is 
manly to answer her rudely; sometimes he rontratUcls 
her, and he is also disrespectful to his father as far as he 
linics to be. If he knew how each unkind word wounds 
like a sharp knife, cutting down to the very heart of his 
parents, he would here discover a way to make Ihem 
happier llian though he could bring them bags of gold and 
silver. Will you try it John ? Resolve that from this 
day those who have done so much for you, who love you 
belter than iheir own lives, shall have only pleasant 
words and rea.iy obedience. Perhaps this will be good 
counsel for others besides John I Mary, it will please 
your mother if you will think less of dress and more of 
duty. Don't let her be a slave to housework while you 
are displaying your finery at balls and parlies. Perhaps 
your little brother will be one of the happiest fellows 
alive, if you will be more patient and less selfish toward 
him. In fhort, all, both young and old, can do something 
toward making this a pleasanler world, for themselves as 
well as others. The surest way to enjoyment is through 
the joy made for others. Whoever has the will, can find 
many ways for carrying out our New Year's Rule : 
Make somebody happier every day this year. 
Al>out Keeping tlic ITIoutli SUiit. 
Which is the best looking, Fig. 1, or Fig. 2 ? II does not 
take long to decide. The one with the lips closed ap- 
pears more manU', intelligent and every way attractive. 
The other shows a man who has a habit of keeping 
his mouth open, which spoils the expression of the whole 
face, and maltes him look inferior. Even a good horse 
looks better with his lips brought together, as is 
shown in the encraving below. A pleasing counten- 
ance is a valuable card of introduction everywhere, and 
it is worth some care to keep all the good features which 
nature has givrn. The habit of keeping the mouth open, 
like most other habits, is formed early in life, and at that 
period it is e;isy to become used to having the lips closed. 
Fig. 1. 
Fig. 2. 
Besides spoiling good looks, a constantly open nioutli is 
unhealthfiii. Tlie air, especially in sliops, houses, a[id 
the streets of cities, contains large quantities of dust from 
various substances, noite of wliich aie fit to be taken into 
tlie lungs. Fiae particles of wood, charcoal, clolli, sand, 
iron, glass, and numerous other articles are floating in 
the atmosphere and are drawn in with every breath. 
■\Vlien this is taken through tlie nose, very little except 
pure air goes to tiie lungs. The other matter is stopped 
by the raucous lining of the nasal passages, and removed 
by using the handkerchief. Tiuough tlie mouth, the way 
to the lungs is more direct, and much more foreif^n mat- 
ter can go In with the air. Those who work in manufac- 
tories wiiere dust of any kind abounds, are very liable to 
diseases of the lungs from this cause, much of wliicli 
may he prevented by the proper use of the nose in breath- 
ing;. The teeth also suffer by constant exposure to cur- 
rents of air. Observing men think that open-monthed 
breathing causes much of the toothache, and decay of 
tlie teeth found in civilized communities. The North 
American Indians enjoy remarkable health, much nf it 
no doubt from living so much in the open air, and their 
simple food and dress, but it is a remark. ible fart tliat 
from infancy, the motlier teaches her children to keep 
their mouths closed. especially in sleep, Mr. George Cat- 
lin, the noted traveller and author observed that when 
laying their *' papooses" downi to sleep, they always 
drew the little one's lips close together, and placed their 
heads in such a position that they would not readily open. 
He thinks this has much to do with their robust health. 
The death of an Indian child under ten years old. is a 
very rare occurrence except from accident. Mr. John 
Wiley, of 535 Broadway, N. Y. City, haspublisheii an in- 
teresting book on lliis subject, full nf curious illustrations 
by Mr. Catlin, from w hich the above engravings are taken. 
Aus-\Tcrs to Problems and Pnzzlcs. 
The following are answers tii tlie puzzles, etc., in the 
December number, page 349.— No. 108 : Illustrated. Rebus. 
This has been almost answered by scores, and correctly 
by many. The proper reading is- The Amrrican Ai^ri- 
cuUurist. ill twelve months, gives O'ver 1,500 excellent 
and instructive articles, or more than ten fur one cent. 
What can be cheaper? Tens of thousands answer,' 
" Nothing I"... ,No. im.—)Iathematicai Puzzle.— Af but 
few have answered this correctly, (llieir names are Delnw), 
we give now only a clue which will make it easier, 
viz : the different letters employed in the problem, when 
properly arranged, give the name of a noted English 
statesman of the present day.. ,,No. IIO.— Historical 
Questions— Answers ; 1, New Albion. 2, Sir Francis 
Drake, 3, in February, 184S, at Columa (Sutler's 
Mills.) 4, Lord De la War. 5, Verazzano, who named 
it New France. 6th. 1,670, at Detroit, The word Enghsh 
should have been European ; the French settled the 
State ; the English took it from them, and ceded -it to the 
United States at the close of the Revolutionary war. 
The following have sent in correct answers up to Dec. 
9: Emma Foss, 109; Frank Robbins, 107; " G. D, B.," 
lOS, 107 ; Minta Beyea, 107 ; Dick and Affa, 1117 ; E. Pre- 
vost, 107; Margaret Thompson, 107 ; William H. Jordan, 
107; Ellen F. Taber, 107 ; Eihelbert Sehlen, 107, Lucius 
S, Keaton, 106 (by an original and ingenious method) ; 
Francis Jl. Priest, 106,107; G. G, Crowley, 106, 107; 
Frank B, Bourne, 107; W. Henry Yates, 107 ; Elvln 
Rees, 106, 107 ; Lear C. La Fetra, 108 ; John H, Peck, 
lOS ; Date Barrie, lOS ; J, C. B. Taylor 108 ; IL D. Bar- 
tholomew, 109 ; Howard Bowman and Earnest Camp- 
bell, 108 ; Stewart Farquer, 107 ; John Thomas Phillips, 
103 ; William A. Collins, lOS ; Ebenczer J, BriJge, ID-i ; 
Rebecca D, Bengless. lOS; Harry Granger, 108; F. E. 
llilliken, Harry J. Stone, 108 ; Frank H, Willis, 108, lou , 
Louie R, Bennett and Emily J. Beniiet, lOS ; R, W. Rob- 
inson, IDS ; Thom.as Coulter, 108 ; Julia A. Pe:ibody, 
108; Maggie N, Darkalow, 108 ; George W, Peabody, 
lOS; Ralph M, Mead, 109; Thomas Mullen, lOS. 109; 
Edward C. Woodruff, lOS ; Annie C. Green, lOS; J. B. 
D:iniel, lOS ; Wni. P. Jones, Jr„ lOS ; John C, Welles, 
108 ; Elnia Jf. Faher, lOS ; Henry M. Clayton, MS ; John 
W. Gaston, 108 ; M, B, Eslileman, 108, 109; " S, W, P.," 
109 ; D, G, Jones, 109 ; George Mills, 108 ; W, M, Isa:ic, 
lOS, 109; Frank Hayward, 107; Asaliel C. Smilh, 108; H. 
L. Hoguut, 103; P, Mason, 108; Francis .At, Priest, lOS, 
109; George F. Forbes, 108, 109; "George S.," 109; 
Louis A. Arthur, 108; Wilhelmina Burgert, 108 ; John 
Atwater, 109 ; Wm, H. Allison, lOS ; Fred. Johnston, 108 
I'read the notice about strawberry phints) ; Andrew W. 
Middlcness, 109, wiih a cle.ar explanation ; P. S, Libido, 
108, 109; J. J. Gactschins, lOS ; Hattie Goffe, lOS ; 
Tlinmas J, Bead, 108; "H, M, D„" 10«, 110: Israiq 
Camp, 108 ; William H, Jordan. 109., 110 ; E. J. Bentley, 
103, 109; George M. Clark, IDS; E. A, Root, 108. 
Nc-%v Puzzles to be Aiis-»rerc<l. 
DoOj 
No. 111. Illustrated Rebus. — A beautiful Sentiment. 
No. 112. A Curious iror*/.— Try to discover what it is. 
There is a word of plural number 
An enemy to peace and slumrjer ; 
Now oilier words you chance to lake, 
By adding " S " you plural make. 
Gut if you add an " S " to this, 
How strange the metamorphosis ;■ 
Plui al is plural now no more, 
And sweet what bitter was before. 
No. 113. Xovel Subtract inn. —Ttike three letters from 
a word containing five, and leave but one. 
No. 114. Question for P/«7?/ers.~A gentleman pro- 
poses to plant a vineyard of ten acres. How many more 
vines can he plant in the '* Quincunx '' than in the square 
order, provided the \ines are set six feet apart, and no 
vine is set nearer than one foot to the edge of the 
field ? In each case the plot is to be square. Please give 
the method of finding the solution, with the answer. 
No. 115. Mathematical Proi/fm.— Suppose a circular 
field to contain 20 acres. How wide a strip around il must 
be adiled to enlarge it by 10 acres ? How wide a strip 
must be taken to diminish it by 10 acres? 
