The Pocumtuc housewife

As the directions which follow, were intended for the conduct of the families of the authoress's own Daughters, and for the arrangement of their Table, so as to unite a good Figure with proper Economy, she has avoided all excessive luxury, such as essence of Ham, and that wasteful expenditure of large quantities of meat for Gravy, which so greatly contributes to keep up the price, and is no less injurious to those who eat, than to those whose penury bids them abstain. Many receipts are given for things which, being in daily Use, the mode of preparing them may be supposed too well known to require a place in a cookery book; yet how rarely do we meet with fine melted butter, good Toast and water, or well made Coffee ! She makes no apology for minuteness in some articles or for leaving others unnamed, because she writes not for professed Cooks. This little work would have been a treasure to herself, when she first set out in life, and she therefore hopes it may be useful to others. In that idea it is given to the public, and as she will receive from it no Emolument, so she trusts it will escape without Censure. What to Eat It will not be out of place to suggest to a Novice what will be expected in the way of Meals in a farmer's household with a good many hands to feed. For Breakfast. For Sunday morning in winter fry the hasty-pudding that was left over from Saturday night's supper. Eat it with West India molasses or Muscovado sugar. In summer fried pudding is too heating. Pancakes with Cider and Sugar are better. Flapjacks are good on holidays or when the men folks are not working hard. Week day mornings farmers want some meat that can be cooked quickly, so as to let them go to the meadows before the sun is up. Sausages, Ham, Souse, fried Pork and eggs, or pork and apple with a milk gravy, with Irish potatoes boiled, are always handy. Salt Mackerel and Shad freshened over night and boiled are good. When the Shad catch comes, buy a Barrel of them and salt them yourself. They are very nice. Johnny cake or hoe cakes are a good change from Rye and Indian bread. It is always best to keep flour bread in the house, but with a large family of farm hands or apprentices it cannot be eaten commonly. Nut cakes are expected for breakfast and sometimes Pye. It is a good Rule for young children to eat a Bowl of bread and milk in the morning before coming to the table. For Dinner. Some families like to get up a great dinner on Sundays and have friends who drive to Meeting from a distance come in for the Nooning. There is no objection to this if everything is prepared the day before. The meat should be plain Roast so that it can be started and left. A young child can tend the Spit while the rest of the family is away. In winter the Pyes should be put on the hearth before meeting, also, so as to thaw gradually. If you wish to avoid the necessity of keeping anyone at home, get some rice Porridge or brewis and cold meat. This with Pye is enough for anyone on a leisure day. For a week day dinner boiled corned beef and pork with a pudding and seasonable vegetables is a standard dish, and always relished by working men. Lay in a good supply of Turnips and cabbages. Pumpkins and squashes. Calf's head and pluck makes a filling meal.