Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1918 — LUNCH HOUR FOR SCHOOL KIDDIES [ARTICLE]

LUNCH HOUR FOR SCHOOL KIDDIES

Government Food Specialists Discuss Various Foods for Children. SUGGESTED BILLS OF FARE Meals for Youngsters Is ? Not a Necessary War Measure and Is Inadvisable—Metal Boxes Most Favored. The school lunch has always had Its for the mother who Is eager to provide a wholesome noon repast for her school kiddies. Almost always the school lunch Is a hurriedly arranged Item among the mother’s early morning duties, and it is sometimes difficult to give this meal the attention? It deserves. War’s food conservation problems have not helped in the matter of SChool-luneh preparation, but If any of the family is entitled to some immunity to food regulations, It Is the growing child who eats one of his meals away from home each school day. In the opinion of the food experts of the United States department of agricul- . ture, skimping meals for the youngsters is not a necessary war measure and Is Inadvisable. The food special. Ists have discussed In a publication of the department of agriculture the foods that should make up the school lunch, the preparation and packing of lunches, and serving lunches partly or wholly prepared at schools. Some suggested bills of fare for the basket lunch are given tn another column. Number of Foods Carried. The number of foods that can be (easily carried has been enlarged of ilate by the possibility of using paraffin (paper and parchment paper, In which moist foods can be wrapped so as to ■prevent them from sticking to other (foods. Paper oups, jelly glasses and jso on, are also a help, for in them sliced raw fruits, stewed fruits, cusitards, cottage cheese and other halfsolid foods can be carried. The quality of the bread used in the basket lunch Is especially Important because It Is commonly served in the form of sandwiches and is, therefore, to be considered not only as a food in Itself but also as a means of keeping other much-needed foods tn good and appetizing condition, or of serving them in attractive ways. Variety in breads, too, Is more Important at this than at other meals because of the danger of monotony. Wheat bread, whole-wheat bread, com, rye, or oatmeal breads; nut, raisin, and date breads; beaten biscuit, rolls, crisp baking-powder biscuit, or soda ‘biscuit, ami toast, zwieback and crackers may be used In turn to give variety. 'Boils hollowed out can be made to •hold a large amount of sandwich Alling. which is an advantage at times. Advantage of Boxes. Many kinds of lunch boxes, palls, and baskets are now on the market. The chief advantage of most boxes and palls Is that they are made of metal ,and can, therefore, be easily cleaned and scalded to keep them In safe condition. Some boxes have the advantage over pails that they can be folded when empty and strapped with the echool books. Baskets are ventilated and for this reason {suitable for carrying moist foods which are likely to spoil. There is no reason, however, why small holes cannot be punched in metal boxes or palls to let in the air. Baskets can, of courae, be washed or scalded, but not so easily aa metal

containers, and they should be frequently cleansed. There should, in fact, be no part of any food container that cannot be cleaned. For this reason the simplest boxes and baskets are often better than the more elaborate ones with compartments in which to keep dishes, knives, forks and spoons. With the fffcrease in automobile travel, well-constructed boxes and baskets which can be easily cleaned have come on the market with compartments for keeping food hot or cold and for holding liquids. These are, of course, suitable only for children who ride back and forth, and particularly suitable where several lunches are put up in one household.

Gas Kilis Greenhouse Pests. Hydrocyanic-acid gas is the best weapon to use against Insects infesting the foliage of ornamental plants in greenhouses. It Is cheaper and more effective than any other means and It is successful against nearly all Insects. It is explained in a new publication of the United States department of agriculture, “Fumigation of Ornamental Greenhouse Plants With Hydrocyanic-Acid Gas,” that In greenhouses containing a lafge variety of plants slight Injury may result to the tender growths of some plants even when the fumigation is properly done. This Injury is not permanent, however, and such plants will show new vigorous growth in a short time. In fact, the growth of many plants Is stimulated by this gas. Cyanide is a very poisonous substance and extreme care must be used in Its handling. Mashed Potato Dishes. Most housekeepers know how delicious mashed potatoes can be made by beating them until light with hot milk, butter or other good fat, and salt and pepper, four tablespoonfuls of hot milk and one teaspoonful of the fat for every medium-sized potato. To make the mashed potatoes a little "different,” they can he turned into 4 potato souffle by adding the beaten white of eggs (two eggs to six medium-sized potatoes), piling lightly In a baking dish and baiting In the oven till brown. Grated cheese added to this souffle Is good. Won’t Boil Over. A fruit pie will not boil over if the sugar is put under the fruit