A practical cook and text book for general use

the age. The apple, "king of fruits," has more than twelve hundred varieties, some one of which will stand by us the year round. The pear numbers more than a thousand varieties. Peaches, cherries, plums, apricots are being reinforced with new varieties and importations. The regal grape holds imperial sway in flavor, odor and life-giving, health-restoring properties. The domestic strawberry, queen of small fruits, brings in her train berries of all colors, sizes and flavors, to which is added many contributions from Japan and the far east. Pomegranates, apricots, Japanese persimmons and Chinese chestnuts (resembling a raisin enclosed in a shell) are among the novelties already attainable through our wide reaching train and steamship service, and that many others will be added, is within the scope of probability. The " latest dates from Europe " are no more essential for the mind than those which furnish food for the body, and American and Arab alike feed on the edible which nature prepared for her children in torrid climes. Lemons, limes, oranges, grape fruit are popularly known and their value in some measure understood. The latter, least of any perhaps, yet really ranking second to none. All these and many more mother nature has prepared in her vast laboratory, and when ripe they require neither cooking nor additions to render them acceptable to the unperverted taste. The sweet may be blended with the sub-acid varieties, if desired, while figs, dates and raisins furnish natural sugar in abundance, and other fruits lend their acids and flavors to any desired extent. The increasing demand for fruit as food means better health and cleaner morals ; clearer heads and more normal lives in every direction. Fruit trees cannot be too numerous, nor fruit too abundant. It alone would prove the most powerful factor in exterminating the alcoholic demons that rule the world and are a standing disgrace to civilization. There are hosts of people troubled with languor, headaches, nervousness, neuralgia and " biliousness " — which mean a very " unclean temple '* — who, if they would omit their breakfast for a time, or make it entirely of fruit, or fruit with nuts, whole wheat gems, rolls or crackers, without liquids would soon find improvement in health, and be able to dispense with the usual " spring medicines," perhaps escape an expensive fever or other illness. Nothing is better than the juice of half or a whole lemon in a glass of water cold or hot, before breakfast, if one does not " feel just right," or a glass of clear cold or hot water. It cleanses the system from the effects of an excess of fats, sweets and starch ; or a deficiency of outdoor exercise, and lack of proper ventilation during the winter. Fruits thoroughly ripe are best eaten uncooked, as cooking tends to destroy or modify their flavor, and renders some varieties so acid as to require the addition of sugar or sweet fruits to make them palatable. The apple, pear, orange, banana, and all solid fruits should be well washed and dried with a clean towel. Grapes, currants, cherries and similar fruits, wash by "dipping several times in cold water, and drain or lay them on clean, soft towels. Strawberries before removing the hull, raspberries and similar fruits, should be put in a colander, a few at a time ; then plunge the colander in a pan of cold water, and rinse quickly with the hands. Lift the colander, drain thoroughly and spread the berries for a moment on a towel to absorb the moisture. If ripe no sugar is required in serving. COOKING FRUITS.