dangerous pitfalls inside the home, and those outside would close for want of patronage. Time to bear in mind that the unrecognized pitfalls which line our public path way begin at the very inception of life, are fostered in the nursery and receiving additions from time to time, the result to youth is more artificial than natural, and they cannot well avoid" the little foxes that destroy the grapes." They have not the faintest glimpse of the truth, that indulgence in these opens the door to the saloon, to vice and crime even among the "pillars of the church and state " with whom they daily associate, perhaps reverence and love as models for their conduct. children's lunches. Herein lies another pitfall for irresponsible childhood and youth, opened by the mothers who tax their indulgent ingenuity to the utmost to provide dainty school lunches for their children. Many school children, from over- taxation of brain and insufficiently nourished bodies, arise in the morning with a headache, no appetite, and are generally uncomfortable. A child's appetite should not be coaxed, neither should a tonic be given to create an appetite, but wait. Supply the lunch box with fresh fruit and a few Graham crackers, to be eaten when needed, and the probabilities are that a " good appetite " will do justice to a substantial dinner. The contents of children's lunch baskets have alarmed many thoughtful teachers. They usually consist of cake, pastry, jelly, pickles, hard boiled eggs, ham and tongue sandwiches, tarts — white, flaky and lard-y — possibly a bottle of tea or coffee and perhaps some fruit added in deference to the childish natural preference. FEEDING INFANTS. 201 In vain intelligent teachers protest and philanthropists write. Through the mistaken affection of untaught mothers the slaughter of the innocents goes on, until school boards have in some instances turned their attention to it and have arranged for simple lunches to be served at trifling cost. Talk about ** cruelty to animals" and wickedness among ** the heathen " ! Every mother should organize herself into an investigating board and be a " society " for the prevention of cruelty to school children in the line of food alone, and she would find employment for the time she now spends in preparing worse than useless articles of food for the daily lunch. Bread of various kinds with fruits and nuts are suffi-* cient in variety to furnish healthful lunches, with how much less thought, care and time to prepare them, to say nothing of the rosy cheeks and sound, pearly teeth that would reward those who " eat to live," that they may make the most of life and its possibilities. Any one examining this subject in the light of the highest altruism will admit the necessity for missionary work in every home. Fed as children are from the nursery to the school age, the numerous " pitfalls by the wayside " in candy stores and soda fountains within reach are overflowing with temp- tation. At no time does the child require more intelligent care as to its food supply than while in school. The brain work, the often irritating contact with other children, the anxiety and nervous unrest attending promotions and problems, the whole over-stimulating tendency of our public school system, induces a constant strain and effort which requires sound bodies, healthy brains and quiet 14 202 THE FAT OF THE LAND. nerves. Very rarely are these obtained from the usual food supply furnished the nineteenth century children.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

dangerous pitfalls inside the home, and those outside would close for want of patronage. Time to bear in mind that the unrecognized pitfalls which line our public path way begin at the very inception of life, are fostered in the nursery and receiving additions from time to time, the result to youth is more artificial than natural, and they cannot well avoid" the little foxes that destroy the grapes." They have not the faintest glimpse of the truth, that indulgence in these opens the door to the saloon, to vice and crime even among the "pillars of the church and state " with whom they daily associate, perhaps reverence and love as models for their conduct. children's lunches. Herein lies another pitfall for irresponsible childhood and youth, opened by the mothers who tax their indulgent ingenuity to the utmost to provide dainty school lunches for their children. Many school children, from overtaxation of brain and insufficiently nourished bodies, arise in the morning with a headache, no appetite, and are generally uncomfortable. A child's appetite should not be coaxed, neither should a tonic be given to create an appetite, but wait. Supply the lunch box with fresh fruit and a few Graham crackers, to be eaten when needed, and the probabilities are that a " good appetite " will do justice to a substantial dinner. The contents of children's lunch baskets have alarmed many thoughtful teachers. They usually consist of cake, pastry, jelly, pickles, hard boiled eggs, ham and tongue sandwiches, tarts — white, flaky and lard-y — possibly a bottle of tea or coffee and perhaps some fruit added in deference to the childish natural preference. In vain intelligent teachers protest and philanthropists write. Through the mistaken affection of untaught mothers the slaughter of the innocents goes on, until school boards have in some instances turned their attention to it and have arranged for simple lunches to be served at trifling cost. Talk about ** cruelty to animals" and wickedness among ** the heathen " ! Every mother should organize herself into an investigating board and be a " society " for the prevention of cruelty to school children in the line of food alone, and she would find employment for the time she now spends in preparing worse than useless articles of food for the daily lunch. Bread of various kinds with fruits and nuts are sufficient in variety to furnish healthful lunches, with how much less thought, care and time to prepare them, to say nothing of the rosy cheeks and sound, pearly teeth that would reward those who " eat to live," that they may make the most of life and its possibilities. Any one examining this subject in the light of the highest altruism will admit the necessity for missionary work in every home. Fed as children are from the nursery to the school age, the numerous " pitfalls by the wayside " in candy stores and soda fountains within reach are overflowing with temptation. At no time does the child require more intelligent care as to its food supply than while in school. The brain work, the often irritating contact with other children, the anxiety and nervous unrest attending promotions and problems, the whole over-stimulating tendency of our public school system, induces a constant strain and effort which requires sound bodies, healthy brains and quiet nerves. Very rarely are these obtained from the usual food supply furnished the nineteenth century children.

A practical cook and text book for general use