Camp cookery (Milam, for Boy Scouts)

Obtain a sufficient supply of excelsior, pulverized cork, paper or other insulating material to fill the box heaping full. This material may be used in the packing. In constructing the cooker, see that the sides and bottom of the box are solid; it may be necessary to add more nails. See that all cracks have a strip nailed over them; and in general, make the box as nearly air-tight as possible. Place pasteboard, if available, around the inside of the box and on the bottom. The large pasteboard from a wholesale cereal package is best. Then pack insulating material into the bottom of the box. Place the vessel to be used in the center of the box and pack this material firmly around it. Any air-tight vessel may be used. Aluminum is best, for it heats up quicker and maintains a more even heat for a longer period. Regular fireless cooker vessels, having clamped lids, may be purchased. After packing the excelsior or other material around the vessel, remove the vessel and line the opening with pasteboard, to aid in maintaining heat and in keeping the wall from breaking down. A layer of pasteboard may also be placed over the entire top of the insulating material, leaving a hole to match that in this material. In constructing the lid, cleats about threequarter inch thick and two and one-half to three inches wide should be nailed along the edges, both at the ends and sides. These are made to fit down closely around the sides and ends of the box when closed, thus conserving all the heat possible. A heavy cloth cushion filled with excelsior or cork should be provided. This must be full enough to make it difficult to shut the lid, thus assuring an air-tight vessel. Hinges and a hook may be used, or a heavy leather strap may be cut into hinges and a large bowlder used to hold the lid down tight. A fireless cooker is a great convenience, making it possible to cook cereal over night, and other foods such as beans, during the day, thus giving a well-cooked product. In order to cook any food in a fireless cooker, first cook until heated through in the cooker kettle, cover and place in the cooker while it is still very hot. A hot soapstone disk, flat stone, or stove lid will make the cooking more rapid. The food may need to be reheated before serving. PART II. CLASSIFICATION OF FOODS- MEAL PLANS— RECIPES What the Day's Food Should Supply The accompanying meals would supply the following substances in about the right proportions to keep the camper in healthful condition and to make the food taste good, providing they were well prepared. FROM FARMERS' BULLETIN 808, HOW TO SELECT FOOD "(a) Mineral substances of great variety (lime salts, compounds of phosphorus, iron, and others). These are used by the body for building material, and are found in all parts of it. They also produce substances within the body tissues which tend to offset acid substances produced in the tissues in the course of digestion of meats and cereals and serve many other important uses. Without fruits and vegetables the meals would be likely to lack certain mineral substances. Without milk they would be lacking in a mineral substance specially needed by children; that is, lime. "(b) Protein. Protein serves as fuel for the body and also provides a certain import-