第6章

Thoughtheammunitionbreadwithwhichheisfurnishedisrathercoarseandbrown，beingmadeofrye-meal，withonlyasmallquantityofthecoarserpartofthebranseparatedfromit，yetitisnotonlywholesome，butverynourishing；andformakingsoupitisevenmorepalatablethanwheatenbread。Mostofthesoldiers，however，intheElector’sservice，andparticularlythosebelongingtotheBavarianregiments，makeapracticeofsellingagreatpartoftheirallowanceofammunitionbread，andwiththemoneytheygetforit，buythebestwheatenbreadthatistobehad；andmanyofthemnevertastebrownbreadbutintheirsoup。

Theammunitionbreadisdeliveredtothesoldierseveryfourthday，inloaves，eachloafbeingequaltotworations；anditisarulegenerallyestablishedinthemesses，foreachsoldiertofurnishoneloaffortheuseofthemesseverytwelfthday，sothathehasfive-sixthsofhisallowanceofbread，whichremainsathisdisposal。

TheforegoingaccountofthemannerinwhichtheBavariansoldiersarefed，will，Ithink，showmostclearlythegreatimportanceofmakingsoldierslivetogetherinmesses——ItmaylikewisefurnishsomeusefulhintstothosewhomaybeengagedinfeedingthePoor，orinprovidingFoodforships’scompanies，orotherbodiesofmenwhoarefedincommon。

Withregardtotheexpenseoffuelintheseexperiments，asthevictualswerecookedinearthenpots，overanopenfire，theconsumptionoffire-woodwasverygreat。

Onthe10thofJune，when9lb。301/2lothsofsoup，1lb。28

lothsofmeat，and5lb。24lothsofbreaddumplins，inall17lb。

181/2ofFoodwereprepared，andtheprocessofcooking，fromthetimethefirewaslightedtillthevictualsweredone，lastedtwohoursandforty-fiveminutes，andtwenty-ninepounds，Bavarianweight，offire-woodwereconsumed。

Onthe11thofJune，when11lb。26lothsofbreadsoup，and8lb。

8lothsofbreaddumplins，inall20lb。2lothsofFoodwereprepared，theprocessofcookinglastedonehourandthirtyminutes；——andseventeenpoundsofwoodwereconsumed。

Onthe20thofJune，inSerjeantKein’smess，15lb。ofsoup；

1lb。22lothsofmeat，and8lb。ofliverdumplins，inall24lb。

22lothsofFoodwereprepared，andthroughtheprocessofcookinglastedtwohoursandforty-fiveminutes，only271/2lb。

offire-woodwereconsumed。

Onthe21stofJune，thesamequantityofsoupandmeat，and7lb。

ofbreaddumplins，inall23lb。22lothsofFoodwerepreparedintwohoursandthirtyminutes，withtheconsumptionof181/2lb。

ofwood。

Onthe22ndofJune，15lb。ofsoup，and10lb。ofmeatdumplins，inall25lb。ofFood，werecookedintwohoursandforty-fiveminutes，andthewoodconsumedwas18lb。10loths。

Thefollowingtablewillshow，inastrikingandsatisfactorymanner，theexpenseoffuelintheseexperiments：

DateoftheTimeemployedQuantityQuantityQuantityExperiments。incooking。ofFoodofWoodofWoodtoprepared。consumed。1lb。ofFood。

June1795。Hours。min。lb。loths。lb。

10th24517181/229

11th13020217

20th2452422171/2

21st2302322181/2

22d245250181/4——

Sums5121511101/21001/4——

Means2232201/5201/2010/11lb。

ThemeanquantityofFoodprepareddailyinfivedaysbeing22lb。

verynearly，andthemeanquantityoffire-woodconsumedbeing20

1/20lb。；thisgives10/11lb。ofwoodforeachpoundofFood。

Butithasbeenfoundbyactualexperiment，madewiththeutmostcare，inthenewkitchenoftheHouseofIndustryatMunich，andoftenrepeated，that600lb。ofFood，(oftheSoupNo。I。giventothePoor，)maybecookedwiththeconsumptionofonly44lb。

ofpine-wood。Andhenceitappearshowverygreatthewasteoffuelmustbeinallculinaryprocesses，astheyarecommonlyperformed；forthoughthetimetakenupincookingthesoupforthePooris，atamedium，morethanFOURHOURSANDAHALF，whilethatemployedbythesoldiersintheircookingislessthanTWOHOURSANDAHALF；yetthequantityoffuelconsumedbythelatterisnearTHIRTEENTIMESgreaterthanthatemployedinthepublickitchenoftheHouseofIndustry。

ButImustnothereanticipatehereamatterwhichistobethesubjectofaseparateEssay；andwhich，fromitsgreatimportance，certainlydeservestobecarefullyandthoroughlyinvestigated。

CHAPTER。V。

Ofthegreatimportanceofmakingsoldierseattogetherinregularmesses。

Theinfluenceofsucheconomicalarrangementsextendseventothemoralcharacterofthosewhoaretheobjectsofthem。

Oftheexpenceoffeedingsoldiersinmesses。

OfthesurprisingsmallnessoftheexpenceoffeedingthepooratMunich。

SpecificproposalsrespectingthefeedingofthepoorinGreatBritain，withcalculationsoftheexpense，atthepresentpricesofprovisions。

Allthosewhohavebeenconversantinmilitaryaffairsmusthavehadfrequentopportunitiesofobservingthestrikingdifferencethereis，evenintheappearanceofthemen，betweenregimentsinwhichmessesareestablished，andFoodisregularlyprovidedunderthecareandinspectionoftheOfficers；andothers，inwhichthesoldiersareleftindividuallytoshiftforthemselves。

Andthedifferencewhichmaybeobservedbetweensoldierswholiveinmesses，andareregularlyfed，andotherswhoarenot，isnotconfinedmerelytotheirexternalappearance：

theinfluenceofthesecausesextendsmuchfarther，andeventheMORALCHARACTERofthemanisaffectedbythem。

Peaceofmind，whichisasessentialtocontentmentandhappinessasitistovirtue，dependsmuchuponorderandregularityinthecommonaffairsoflife；andinnocaseareorderandmethodmorenecessarytohappiness，(andconsequentlytovirtue，)thaninthat，wherethepreservationofhealthisconnectedwiththesatisfyingofhunger；anappetitewhosecravingsaresometimesasinordinateastheyareinsatiable。

Peaceofminddependslikewisemuchuponeconomy，orthemeansusedforpreventingpecuniaryembarrassments；andthesavingstosoldiersinprovidingFood，whicharisefromhousekeepinginmessesoftenortwelvepersonswholivetogether，isverygreatindeed。

Butgreatasthesesavingsnoware，Ithinktheymightbemadestillmoreconsiderable；andIshallgivemyreasonsforthisopinion。

ThoughtheBavariansoldiersliveataverysmallexpense，littlemorethanTWO-PENCEsterlinga-day，yetwhenIcomparethissum，smallasitis，withtheexpenseoffeedingthePoorintheHouseofIndustryatMunich，whichdoesnotamounttomorethanTWOFARTHINGSa-day，evenincludingthecostofthepieceofdryrye-bread，weighingsevenouncesAvoirdupois[11]，whichisgiventhemintheirhands，atdinner，butwhichtheyseldomeatatdinner，butcommonlycarryhomeintheirpocketsfortheirsuppers；——whenIcompare，Isay，thissmallsum，withthedailyexpenceofthesoldiersfortheirsubsistence，Ifindreasontoconclude，eitherthatthesoldiersmightbefedcheaper，orthatthePoormustbeabsolutelystarvedupontheirallowance。Thatthelatterisnotthecase，thehealthycountenancesofthePoor，andtheairofplacidcontentmentwhichalwaysaccompaniesthem，aswellinthedining-hallasintheirworking-rooms，affordsatthesametimethemostinterestingandmostsatisfactoryproofpossible。

Weretheytogohomeinthecourseoftheday，itmightbesuspectedthattheygotsomethingathometoeat，inadditiontowhattheyreceivefromthepublickitchenoftheEstablishment；——

butthistheyseldomoreverdo；andtheycometothehousesoearlyinthemorning，andleaveitsolateatnight，thatitdoesnotseemprobablethattheycouldfindtimetocookanythingattheirownlodgings。

Someofthem，Iknown，makeaconstantpracticeofgivingthemselvesatreatofapintofbeeratnight，aftertheyhavefinishedtheirwork；butIdonotbelievetheyhaveanythingelsefortheirsuppers，exceptitbethebreadwhichtheycarryhomefromtheHouseofIndustry。

Imustconfess，however，veryfairly，thatitalwaysappearedtomequitesurprising，andthatitisstillamysterywhichIdonotclearlyunderstand，howitispossibleforthesepoorpeopletobesocomfortablyfeduponthesmallallowanceswhichtheyreceive——Thefacts，however，arenotonlycertain，buttheyarenotorious。Manypersonsofthemostrespectablecharactersinthiscountry，(GreatBritain，)aswellasupontheContinent，whohavevisitedtheHouseofIndustryatMunich，canbearwitnesstotheirauthenticity；andtheyaresurelynotthelessinterestingforbeingextraordinary。

Itmusthoweverberemembered，thatwhatformerlycostTWOFARTHINGS

inBavaria，atthemeanpriceofprovisionsinthatcountry，costsTHREEfarthingsatthispresentmoment；andwouldprobablycostSIXinLondon，andinmostotherpartsofGreatBritain：butstill，itwilldoubtlessappearalmostincredible，thatacomfortableandnourishingmeal，sufficientforsatisfyingthehungerofastrongman，maybefurnishedinLondon，andatthisverymoment，whenprovisionsofallkindsaresoremarkablydear，atLESSTHANTHREEFARTHINGS。Thefact，however，ismostcertain，andmayeasilybedemonstratedbymakingtheexperiment。

Supposingthatitshouldbenecessary，infeedingthePoorinthiscountry，tofurnishthemwiththreemealsa-day，eventhatmightbedoneataverysmallexpence，werethesystemoffeedingthemadoptedwhichishereproposed。Theamountofthatexpencewouldbeasfollows：

Pence。Farths。

Forbreakfast，20ouncesoftheSoupNo，II。

composedofpearlbarley，peas，potatoes，andfinewheatenbread(Seepage210。)021/2

Fordinner，20ouncesofthesameSoup，and7ouncesofrye-bread……12

Forsupper，20ouncesofthesameSoup……021/2——

Inall4lb。3oz。ofFood[12]，whichwouldcost23

Shoulditbethoughtnecessarytogivealittlemeatatdinner，thismaybestbedonebymixingit，cutfine，orminced，inbreaddumplins；orwhenbacon，oranykindofsaltedorsmokedmeatisgiven，tocutitfineandmixitwiththebreadwhichiseateninthesoup。Ifthebreadbefried，theFoodwillbemuchimproved；

butthiswillbeattendedwithsomeadditionalexpence——

Rye-breadisasgood，ifnotbetter，forfrying，thanbreadmadeofwheatflour；anditiscommonlynothalfsodear——

Perhapsrye-breadfriedmightbefurnishedalmostascheapaswheatenbreadnotfried；andifthiscouldbedone，itwouldcertainlybeaverygreatimprovement。

Thereisanotherwaybywhichthesecheapsoupsmaybemadeexceedinglypalatableandsavoury；——whichisbymixingwiththemaverysmallquantityofredherrings，mincedveryfineorpoundedinamortar——ThereisnokindofcheapFood，Ibelieve，thathassomuchtasteasredherrings，orthatcommunicatesitsflavourwithsomuchliberalitytoothereatables；andtomostpalatesitisremarkablyagreeable。

Cheesemaylikewisebemadeuseofforgivinganagreeablerelishtothesesoups；andaverysmallquantityofitwillbesufficientforthatpurpose，providedithasastrongtaste，andisproperlyapplied——Itshouldbegratedtoapowderwithagrater，andasmallquantityofthispowderthrownoverthesoup，AFTERITISDISHEDOUT——Thisisfrequentlydoneatthesumptuoustablesoftherich，andisthoughtagreatdelicacy；whilethePoor，whohavesofewenjoyments，havenotbeentaughttoavailthemselvesofthis，whichissomuchwithintheirreach。

Thosewholeavocationscallthemtovisitdistantcountries，andthosewhosefortuneenablesthemtotravelfortheiramusementorimprovement，havemanyopportunitiesofacquiringusefulinformation；andinconsequenceofthisintercoursewithstrangers，manyimprovements，andmoreREFINEMENTS，havebeenintroducedintothiscountry；butthemostimportantadvantagesthatMIGHTbederivedfromanintimateknowledgeofthemannersandcustomsofdifferingnations，——theintroductionofimprovementstendingtofacilitatethemeansofsubsistence，andtoincreasethecomfortsandconveniencesofthemostnecessitousandmostnumerousclassesofsociety，——havebeen，alas！littleattendedto。Ourextensivecommerceenablesustoprocure，andwedoactuallyimportmostofthevaluablecommoditieswhicharetheproduceeitherofthefoiloftheocean，oroftheindustryofmaninallthevariousregionsofthehabitableglobe；——buttheresultoftheEXPERIENCEOFAGESrespectingtheusethatcanbemadeofthosecommoditieshasseldombeenthoughtworthimporting！IneverseemaccaroniinEngland，orpolentainGermany，uponthetablesoftherich，withoutlamentingthatcheapandwholesomeluxuriesshouldbemonopolizedbythosewhostandleastinneedofthem；whilethePoor，who，onewouldthink，oughttobeconsideredashavingalmostanEXCLUSIVErighttothem，(astheywerebothinventedbythePoorofaneighbouringnation，)arekeptinperfectignoranceofthem。

ButthesetwokindsofFoodaresopalatable，wholesome，andnourishing，andmaybeprovidedsoeasily，andatsoverycheaparateinallcountries，andparticularlyinGreatBritain，thatIthinkIcannotdobetterthantodevoteafewpagestotheexaminationofthem；——andIshallbeginwithPolenta，orIndiancorn，asitiscalledinthiscountry。

CHAPTER。VI。

OfINDIANCORN。

Itaffordsthecheapestandmostnourishingfoodknown。

Proofsthatitismorenourishingthanrice。

Differentwaysofpreparingorcookingit。

Computationoftheexpenseoffeedingapersonwithit，foundedonexperiment。

ApprovedReceiptformakinganINDIANPUDDING。

IcannothelpincreasingthelengthofthisEssaymuchbeyondtheboundsIoriginallyassignedtoit，inordertohaveanopportunityofrecommendingakindofFoodwhichIbelievetobebeyondcomparisonthemostnourishing，cheapest，andmostwholesomethatcanbeprocuredforfeedingthePoor——ThisisIndianCorn，amostvaluableproduction；andwhichgrowsinalmostallclimates；andthoughitdoesnotsucceedremarkablywellinGreatBritain，andinsomepartsofGermany，yetitmayeasilybehadingreatabundance，fromothercountries；

andcommonlyataverylowrate。

ThecommonpeopleinthenorthernpartsofItalylivealmostentirelyuponit；andthroughoutthewholeContinentofAmericaitmakesaprincipalarticleofFood——InItalyitiscalledPolenta，whereitispreparedorcookedinavarietyofways，andformsthebasisofanumberofverynourishingdishes——

Themostcommonwayhoweverofusingitinthatcountryistogrinditintomeal，andwithwatertomakeitintoathickkindofpudding，likewhatinthiscountryiscalledahasty-pudding，whichiseatenwithvariouskindsofsauce，andsometimeswithoutanysauce。

InthenorthernpartsofNorthAmerica，thecommonhouseholdbreadthroughoutthecountryiscomposedofonepartofIndianmealandonepartofryemeal；andImuchdoubtwhetheramorewholesome，ormorenourishingkindofbreadcanbemade。

Riceisuniversallyallowedtobeverynourishing，——muchmoresoeventhanwheat；butthereisacircumstancewellknowntoallthosewhoareacquaintedwiththedetailsoffeedingthenegroslavesinthesouthernstatesofNorthAmerica，andintheWestIndies，thatwouldseemtoprove，inaverydecisiveandsatisfactorymanner，thatINDIANCORNISEVENMORENOURISHING

THANRICE——Inthosecountries，wherericeandIndianCornarebothproducedinthegreatestabundance，thenegroeshavefrequentlyhadtheiroptionbetweenthesetwokindsofFood；andhaveinvariablypreferredthelatter——Thereasonstheygiveforthispreferencetheyexpressinstrong，thoughnotinverydelicateterms——Theysaythat“Riceturnstowaterintheirbellies，andrunsoff；“——but“IndianCornstayswiththem，andmakesstrongtowork。”

ThisaccountofthepreferencewhichnegroesgivetoIndianCornforFood，andoftheirreasonsforthispreference，wascommunicatedtomebytwogentlemenofmostrespectablecharacter，wellknowninEngland，andnowresidentinLondon，whowereformerlyplanters；oneinGeorgia，andtheotherinJamaica。

ThenutritivequantitywhichIndianCornpossessed，inamosteminentdegree，whenemployedforfatteninghogsandpoultry，andforgivingstrengthtoworkingoxen，haslongbeenuniversallyknownandacknowledgedineverypartofNorthAmerica；andnobodyinthatcountrythinksofemployinganyothergrainforthosepurposes。

AllthesefactsprovetoademonstrationthatIndiaCornpossessesveryextraordinarynutritivepowers；anditiswellknownthatthereisnospeciesofgrainthatcanbehadsocheap，orinsogreatabundance；——itisthereforewellworthytheattentionofthosewhoareengagedinprovidingcheapandwholesomeFoodforthePoor，——orintakingmeasuresforwardingofftheevilswhichcommonlyattendageneralscarcityofprovisions，toconsiderintime，howthisusefularticleofFoodmaybeprocuredinlargequantities，andhowtheintroductionofitintocommonusecanbemosteasilybeeffected。

InregardtothemannerofusingIndianCorn，thereareavastvarietyofdifferentwaysinwhichitmaybeprepared，orcooked，inordertoitsbeingusedasFood——Onesimpleandobviouswayofusingit，istomixitwithwheat，rye，orbarleymeal，inmakingbread；butwhenitisusedformakingbread，andparticularlywhenitismixedwithwheatflour，itwillgreatlyimprovethequalityofthebreadiftheIndianmeal，(thecoarserpartofthebranbeingfirstseparatedfromitbysifting，)bepreviouslymixedwithwater，andboiledforaconsiderablelengthoftime，——twoorthreehoursforinstance，overaslowfire，beforetheothermealorflourisaddedtoit——Thisboiling，which，iftheproperquantityofwaterisemployed，willbringthemasstotheconsistencyofathinpudding，willeffectuallyremoveacertaindisagreeableRAWTASTEintheIndianCorn，whichsimplebakingwillnotentirelytakeaway；andthewheatflourbeingmixedwiththispuddingafterithasbeentakenfromthefireandcooked，andthewholewellkneadedtogether，maybemadetorise，andbeformedintoloaves，andbakedintobread，withthesamefacilitythatbreadismadeofwheatflouralone，orofanymixturesofdifferentkindsofmeal。

WhentheIndianmealispreviouslypreparedbyboiling，inthemannerheredescribed，amostexcellent，andverypalatablekindofbread，notinferiortowheatenbread，maybemadeofequalpartsofthismealandofcommonwheatflour。

Butthemostsimple，andIbelievethebest，andmosteconomicalwayofemployingIndianCornasFood，istomakeitintopuddings——Thereis，asIhavealreadyobserved，acertainrawnessinthetasteofit，whichnothingbutlongboilingcanremove；butwhenthatdisagreeabletasteisremoved，itbecomesextremelypalatable；andthatitisremarkablywholesome，hasbeenprovedbysomuchexperiencethatnodoubtscanpossiblybeentertainedofthatfact。

Thecultureofitrequiredmorelabourthanmostotherkindsofgrain；but，ontheotherhand，theproduceisveryabundant，anditisalwaysmuchcheaperthaneitherwheatorrye——

ThepriceofitintheCarolinas，andinGeorgia，hasoftenbeenaslowaseighteenpence，andsometimesasoneshillingsterlingperbushel；——buttheIndianCornwhichisgrowninthosesouthernstatesismuchinferior，bothinweightandinitsqualities，tothatwhichistheproduceofcolderclimates——IndianCornofthegrowthofCanada，andtheNewEnglandstates，whichisgenerallythoughttobeworthtwentypercent。moreperbushelthanthatwhichisgrowninthesouthernstates，maycommonlybeboughtfortwoandsixpence，orthreeshillingsabushel。

ItisnowthreeshillingsandsixpenceabushelatBoston；butthepricesofprovisionsofallkindshavebeenmuchraisedoflateinallpartsofAmerica，owingtotheuncommonlyhighpriceswhicharepaidforthemintheEuropeanmarketssincethecommencementofthepresentwar。

IndianCornandryeareverynearlyofthesameweight，buttheformergivesrathermoreflour，whengroundandsifted，thanthelatter——IfindbyareportoftheBoardofAgriculture，ofthe10thofNovember1795，thatthreebushelsofIndianCornweighed1cwt。1qr。18lb。(or53lb。eachbushel)，andgave1cwt。20lb。

offlourand26lb。ofbran；whilethreebushelsofrye，weighing1cwt。1qr。22lb。(or54lb。thebushel)，gaveonly1cwt。17lb。

offlourand28lb。ofbran——ButImuchsuspectthattheIndianCornusedintheseexperimentswasnotofthebestquality[13]。

Isawsomeofit，anditappearedtometobeofthatkindwhichiscommonlygrowninthesouthernstatesofNorthAmerica——

IndianCornofthegrowthofcolderclimatesis，probably，atleastasheavyaswheat，whichweightsatamediumabout58lb。

perbushel，andIimagineitwillgivenearlyasmuchflour[14]。

InregardtothemostadvantageousmethodofusingIndianCornasFood，Iwouldstronglyrecommend，particularlywhenitisemployedforfeedingthePoor，adishmadeofitthatisinthehighestestimationthroughoutAmerica，andwhichisreallyverygood，andverynourishing。Thisiscalledhasty-pudding；anditismadeinthefollowingmanner：Aquantityofwater，proportionedtothequantityofhasty-puddingintendedtobemade，isputoverthefireinanopenironpot，orkettle，andaproperquantityofsaltforseasoningthepuddingbeingpreviouslydissolvedinthewater，Indianmealisstirredintoit，bylittleandlittle，withawoodedspoonwithalonghandle，whilethewatergoesontobeheatedandmadetoboil；——greatcarebeingtakentoputinthemealbyverysmallquantities，andbysiftingitslowlythroughthefingersofthelefthand，andstirringthewateraboutverybrisklyatthesametimewiththewoodenspoon，withtherighthand，tomixthemealwiththewaterinsuchamannerastopreventlumpsbeingformed——

Themealshouldbeaddedsoslowly，that，whenthewaterisbroughttoboil，themassshouldnotbethickerthanwater-gruel，andhalfanhourmore，atleast，shouldbeemployedtoaddtheadditionalquantityofmealnecessaryforbringingthepuddingtobeoftheproperconsistency；duringwhichtimeitshouldbestirredaboutcontinually，andkeptconstantlyboiling——

Themethodofdeterminingwhenthepuddinghasacquiredtheproperconsistencyisthis；——thewoodenspoonusedforstirringitbeingplaceduprightinthemiddleofthekettle，ifitfallsdown，moremealmustbeadded；butifthepuddingissufficientlythickandadhesivetosupportitinaverticalposition，itisdeclaredtobePROOF；andnomoremealisadded——Iftheboiling，insteadofbeingcontinuedonlyhalfanhour，beprolongedtothreequartersofanhour，oranhour，thepuddingwillbeconsiderablyimprovedbythisprolongation。

Thishasty-pudding，whendone，maybeeateninvariousways——

Itmaybeput，whilehot，byspoonfulsintoabowlofmilk，andeatenwiththemilkwithaspoon，inlieuofbread；andusedinthiswayitisremarkablypalatable——Itmaylikewisebeeaten，whilehot，withasaucecomposedofbutterandbrownsugar，orbutterandmolasses，withorwithoutafewdropsofvinegar；andhoweverpeoplewhohavenotbeenaccustomedtothisAmericancookerymaybeprejudicedagainstit，theywillfindupontrialthatitmakesamostexcellentdish，andonewhichneverfailstobemuchlikedbythosewhoareaccustomedtoit——

TheuniversalfondnessofAmericansforitprovesthatitmusthavesomemerit；——forinacountrywhichproducesallthedelicaciesofthetableinthegreatestabundance，itisnottobesupposedthatawholenationshouldhaveatastesodepravedastogiveadecidedpreferencetoanyparticularspeciesofFoodwhichhasnotsomethingtorecommendit。

Themannerinwhichhasty-puddingiseatenwithbutterandsugar，orbutterandmolasses，inAmerica，isasfollows：Thehasty-puddingbeingspreadoutequallyuponaplate，whilehot，anexcavationismadeinthemiddleofit，withaspoon，intowhichexcavationapieceofbutter，aslargeasanutmeg，isput；anduponit，aspoonfulofbrownsugar，ormorecommonlyofmolasses——

Thebutterbeingsoonmeltedbytheheatofthepudding，mixeswiththesugar，ormolasses，andformsasauce，which，beingconfinedintheexcavationmadeforit，occupiesthemiddleoftheplate——Thepuddingistheneatenwithaspoon，eachspoonfulofitbeingdiptintothesaucebeforeitiscarriedtothemouth；

carebeinghadintakingitup，tobeginontheoutside，ornearthebrimoftheplate，andtoapproachthecenterbyregularadvances，inordernottodemolishtoosoontheexcavationwhichformsthereservoirforthesauce。

IfIamprolixinthesedescriptions，myreadermustexcuseme；

forpersuadedasIamthattheactionofFooduponthepalate，andconsequentlythepleasureofeating，dependsverymuchindeedupontheMANNERinwhichtheFoodisappliedtotheorgansoftaste，Ihavethoughtitnecessarytomention，andeventoillustrateintheclearestmanner，everycircumstancewhichappearedtometohaveinfluenceinproducingthoseimportanteffects。

Inthecaseinquestion，asitisthesaucealonewhichgivestasteandpalatablenesstotheFood，andconsequentlyisthecauseofthepleasureenjoyedineatingit，theimportanceofapplying，orusingit，insuchamannerastoproducethegreatestandmostdurableeffectpossibleontheorgansoftaste，isquiteevident；andinthemannerofeatingthisFoodwhichhasherebeendescribedandrecommended，thesmallquantityofsauceused，(andthequantitymustbesmall，asitistheexpensivearticle，)iscertainlyappliedtothepalatemoreimmediately；——

byagreatersurface；——andinastateofgreatercondensation；——

andconsequentlyactsuponitmorepowerfully；——andcontinuestoactuponitforagreaterlengthoftime，thanitcouldwellbemadetodowhenusedinanyotherway——Wereitmoreintimatelymixedwiththepudding，forinstance，insteadofbeingmerelyappliedtoitsexternalsurface，itsactionwouldcertainlybemuchlesspowerful；andwereitpouredoverthepudding，orwaspropercarenottakentokeepitconfinedinthelittleexcavationorreservoirmadeinthemidstofthepuddingtocontainit，muchofitwouldattachitselfandadheretothesurfaceoftheplate，andbelost。

Hasty-puddinghasthisinparticulartorecommendit；——andwhichrendersitsingularlyusefulasFoodforpoorfamilies，——thatwhenmoreofitismadeatoncethanisimmediatelywanted，whatremainsmaybepreservedgoodforseveraldays，andanumberofverypalatabledishesmaybemadeofit——Itmaybecutinthinslice，andtoastedbeforethefire，oronagridiron，andeateninsteadofbread，eitherinmilk，orinanykindofsouporpottage；orwithanyotherkindofFoodwithwhichbreadiscommonlyeaten；oritmaybeeatencold，withoutanypreparation，withawarmsaucemadeofbutter，molasses，orsugar，andalittlevinegar——Inthislast-mentionedwayofeatingit，itisquiteaspalatable，andIbelievemorewholesome，thanwheneatenwarm；thatistosay，whenitisfirstmade——Itmaylikewisebeputcold，withoutanypreparation，intohotmilk；

andthismixtureisbynomeansunpalatable，particularlyifitbesufferedtoremaininthemilktillitiswarmedthroughout，orifitbeboiledinthemilkforafewmoments。

AfavouritedishinAmerica，andaverygoodone，ismadeofcoldboiledcabbagechoppedfine，withasmallquantityofcoldboiledbeef，andslicesofcoldhasty-pudding，allfriedtogetherinbutterorhog’slard。

Thoughhasty-puddingsarecommonlymadeofIndianmeal，yetitisbynomeansuncommontomakethemofequalpartsofIndian，andofryemeal；——andtheyaresometimesmadeofryemealalone；

orofryemealandwheatflourmixed。

Togiveasatisfactoryideaoftheexpenceofpreparinghasty-puddingsinthiscountry，(England，)andoffeedingthePoorwiththem，Imadethefollowingexperiment：——About2pintsofwater，whichweighedjust2lb。Avoirdupois，wereputoverthefireinasaucepanofapropersize，and58grainsinweightor1/120ofapoundofsaltbeingadded，thewaterwasmadetoboil——Duringthetimethatiswasheating，smallquantitiesofIndianmealwerestirredintoit，andcarewastaken，bymovingthewaterbrisklyabout，withawoodenspoon，topreventthemealfrombeingformedintolumps；andasoftenasanylumpswereobserved，theywerecarefullybrokenwiththespoon；——theboilingwasthencontinuedhalfanhour，andduringthistimethepuddingwascontinuallystirredaboutwiththewoodenspoon，andsomuchmoremealwasaddedaswasfoundnecessarytobringthepuddingtobeoftheproperconsistency。

Thisbeingdone，itwastakenfromthefireandweighed，andwasfoundtoweighjust1lb。111/2oz——Uponweighingthemealwhichremained，(thequantityfirstprovidedhavingbeenexactlydeterminedbyweightinthebeginningoftheexperiment，)itwasfoundthatjustHALFAPOUNDofmealhadbeenused。

Fromtheresultofthisexperimentitappears，thatforeachpoundofIndianmealemployedinmakinghasty-pudding，wemayreckon3lb。9oz。ofthepudding——AndexpenceofprovidingthiskindofFood，orthecostofitbythepound，atthepresenthighpriceofgraininthiscountry，maybeseenbythefollowingcomputation：

L。s。d。

HalfapoundofIndianmeal，(thequantity)]

usedintheforegoingexperiment，)at2d]

apoundor7s。6d。abushelforthecorn，]……001

(thepricestatedinthereportofthe]

BoardofAgricultureofthe10thof]

November1795，sooftenreferredto，)costs]

58grainsor1/120ofapoundofsalt，at]

2d。perpound]……0001/60——

Total，0011/60

Now，asthequantityofpuddingpreparedwiththeseingredientswas1lb。111/2oz。andthecostoftheingredientsamountedtoONEPENNYANDONESIXTIETHOFAPENNY，thisgivesforthecostofonepoundofhasty-pudding71/120ofapenny，or21/3farthings，verynearly——ItmusthoweverberememberedthattheIndianCornisherereckonedataveryexorbitantpriceindeed[15]。

ButbeforeitcanbedeterminedwhattheexpencewillbeoffeedingthePoorwiththiskindofFood，itwillbenecessarytoascertainhowmuchofitwillberequiredtogiveacomfortablemealtooneperson；andhowmuchtheexpencewillbeofprovidingthesauceforthatquantityofpudding——Todeterminethesetwopointswithsomedegreeofprecision，Imadethefollowingexperiment：——Havingtakenmybreakfast，consistingoftwodishesofcoffee，withcream，andadrytoast，atmyusualhourofbreakfasting，(nineo’clockinthemorning，)andhavingfastedfromthattimetillfiveo’clockintheafternoon，Ithendineduponmyhasty-pudding，withtheAmericansaucealreadydescribed，andIfound，aftermyappetiteforFoodwasperfectlysatisfied，andIfeltthatIhadmadeacomfortabledinner，thatIhadeatenjust1lb。11/2oz。ofthepudding；andtheingredients，ofwhichthesaucewhichwaseatenwithitwascomposed，werehalfanounceofbutter；threequartersofanounceofmolasses；

and21grainsor1/342ofapintofvinegar。

Thecostofthisdinnermaybeseenbythefollowingcomputation：

ForthePuddingFarthings。

1lb。11/2oz。ofhasty-pudding，at21/3farthingsapound……21/2——

FortheSauceHalfanounceofbutter，at10d。perpound11/4

Threequartersofanounceofmolasses，at6d。perpound……1

1/352ofapintofvinegar，at2s8d。

thegallon……01/16——

TotalfortheSauce，25/16farthings。

Sumtotalofexpencesforthisdinner，forthepuddinganditssauce……413/16farthings。

Orsomethinglessthanonepennyfarthing。

IbelieveitwouldnotbeeasytoprovideadinnerinLondon，atthistime，whenprovisionsofallkindsaresodear，equallygratefultothepalateandsatisfyingtothecravingsofhunger，atasmallerexpence——Andthatthismealwassufficientforallthepurposesofnourishmentappearsfromhence，thatthoughI

tookmyusualexercise，anddidnotsupafterit，Ineitherfeltanyparticularfaintness，noranyunusualdegreeofappetiteformybreakfastnextmorning。

Ihavebeenthemoreparticularinmyaccountofthisexperiment，toshowinwhatmannerexperimentsofthiskindought，inmyopinion，tobeconducted；——andalsotoinduceotherstoengageinthesemostusefulinvestigations。

Itwillnotescapetheobservationofthereader，thatsmallastheexpencewasofprovidingthisdinner，yetverynearone-halfofthatsumwaslaidoutinpurchasingtheingredientsforthesauce——Butitisprobablethataconsiderablepartofthatexpencemightbesaved——InItaly，polenta，whichisnothingmorethanhasty-puddingmadewithIndianmealandwater，isveryfrequently，andIbelievecommonlyeatenwithoutanysauce，andwhenonholidaysorotherextraordinaryoccasionstheyindulgethemselvesbyaddingasaucetoit，thissauceisfarfromexpensive——Itiscommonlynothingmorethanaverysmallquantityofbutterspreadovertheflatsurfaceofthehotpolentawhichisspreadoutthininalargeplatter；withalittleParmezanorotherstrongcheese，reducedtoacoarsepowderbygratingitwithagrater，strewedoverit。

PerhapsthisItaliansaucemightbemoreagreeabletoanEnglishpalatethanthatcommonlyusedinAmerica。Itwouldcertainlybelessexpensive，asmuchlessbutterwouldberequired，andascheeseinthiscountryisplentyandcheap。ButwhatevermaybethesauceusedwithFoodpreparedofIndianCorn，Icannottoostronglyrecommendtheuseofthatgrain。

WhileIwasemployedinmakingmyexperimentuponhasty-pudding，Ilearntfrommyservant，(aBavarian，)whoassistedme，afactwhichgavemegreatpleasure，asitservedtoconfirmmeintheopinionIhavelongentertainedofthegreatmeritofIndianCorn——HeassuredmethatpolentaismuchesteemedbythepeasantryinBavaria，andthatitmakesaveryconsiderablearticleoftheirFood；thatitcomesfromItalythroughtheTyrol；andthatitiscommonlysoldinBavariaATTHESAMEPRICE

ASWHEATFLOUR！Cantherebestrongerproofsofitsmerit？

ThenegroesinAmericapreferittorice；andtheBavarianpeasantstowheat——Whythenshouldnottheinhabitantsofthisislandlikeit？Itwillnot，Ihope，bepretended，thatitisinthisfavouredsoilalonethatprejudicestakesuchdeeprootthattheyarenevertobeeradicated，orthatthereisanythingpeculiarintheconstructionofthepalateofanEnglishman。

TheobjectionthatmaybemadetoIndianCorn，——thatitdoesnotthrivewellinthiscountry，——isofnoweight。Thesameobjectionmight，withequalreason，bemadetorice，andtwentyotherarticlesofFoodnowincommonuse。

Ithaseverbeenconsidered，bythoseversedinthescienceofpoliticaleconomy，asanobjectofthefirstimportancetokeepdownthepricesofprovisions，particularlyinmanufacturingandcommercialcountries；——andiftherebeacountryonearthwherethisoughttobedone，itissurelyGreatBritain：——andthereiscertainlynocountrywhichhasthemeansofdoingitsomuchinitspower。

Buttheprogressofnationalimprovementsmustbeveryslow，howeverfavorableothercircumstancesmaybe，wherethosecitizens，who，bytheirrankandsituationinsociety，aredestinedtodirectthepublicopinion，AFFECTtoconsiderthenationalprejudicesasunconquerable[16]——Buttoreturntothesubjectimmediatelyunderconsideration。

Thoughhasty-puddingis，Ibelieve，thecheapestFoodthatcanbepreparedwithIndianCorn，yetseveralotherverycheapdishesmaybemadeofit，whichingeneralareconsideredasbeingmorepalatable，andwhich，mostprobably，wouldbepreferredinthiscountry；andamongthese，whatinAmericaiscalledaplainIndianpuddingcertainlyholdsthefirstplace，andcanhardlyfailtobemuchlikedbythose，whowillbepersuadedtotryit——Itisnotonlycheapandwholesome，butagreatdelicacy；

anditisprincipallyonaccountofthesepuddingsthattheAmericans，whoresideinthiscountry，importannuallyfortheirownconsumptionIndianCornfromtheContinentofAmerica。

InordertobeabletogivethemostparticularandsatisfactoryinformationrespectingthemannerofpreparingtheseIndianpuddings，Icausedoneofthemtobemadehere，(inLondon，)

undermyimmediatedirection，byapersonbornandbroughtupinNorthAmerica，andwhounderstandsperfectlytheAmericanartofcookeryinallitsbranches[17]。Thispudding，whichwasallowedbycompetentjudgeswhotastedittobeasgoodastheyhadevereaten，wascomposedandpreparedinthefollowingmanner：

ApprovedReceiptformakingaplainIndianPudding。

ThreepoundsofIndianmeal(fromwhichthebranhadbeenseparatedbysiftingitinacommonhairsieve)wereputintoalargebowl，andfivepintsofboilingwaterwereputtoit，andthewholewellstirredtogether；threequartersofapoundofmolassesandoneounceofsaltwerethenaddedtoit，andthesebeingwellmixed，bystirringthemwiththeotheringredients，thepuddingwaspouredintoafitbag；andthebagbeingtiedup，(anemptyspacebeingleftinthebagtyingit，equaltoaboutone-sixthofitscontents，forgivingroomforthepuddingtoswell，)thispuddingwasputintoakettleofboilingwater，andwasboiledsixhourswithoutintermission；thelossofthewaterinthekettlebyevaporationduringthistimebeingfrequentlyreplacedwithboilingwaterfromanotherkettle。

Thepuddinguponbeingtakenoutofthebagweighedtenpoundsandoneounce；anditwasfoundtobeperfectlydone，nothavingthesmallestremainsofthatrawtastesodisagreeabletoallpalates，andparticularlytothosewhoarenotusedtoit，whichalwayspredominatesindishespreparedofIndianmealwhentheyarenotsufficientlycooked。

Asthisrawtasteistheonlywell-foundedobjectionthatcanbemadetothismostusefulgrain，andis，Iampersuaded，theonlycausewhichmakesitdislikedbythosewhoarenotaccustomedtoit，Iwouldadvisethosewhomayattempttointroduceitintocommonuse，whereitisnotknown，tobeginwithIndian(bag)puddings，suchasIhaveherebeendescribing；andthatthisisaverycheapkindofFoodwillbeevidentfromthefollowingcomputation：

ExpenseofpreparingtheIndianPuddingabovementioned。

Pence。Pence。

3lb。ofIndianmealat……11/2……41/2

3/4lb。ofmolassesat……6……41/2

1oz。ofsaltat2d。perlb……01/8——

Totalfortheingredients，91/8

Asthispuddingweighed101/16lbs。andtheingredientscostninepenceandhalfafarthing，thisgivesthreefarthingsandahalfforeachpoundofpudding。

Itwillbeobserved，thatinthiscomputationIhavereckonedtheIndianmealatnomorethan11/2dperpound，whereasinthecalculationwhichwasgiventodeterminetheexpenseofpreparinghasty-puddingitwastakenattwopenceapound。Ihaveherereckoneditat11/2d。apound，becauseIampersuadeditmightbehadhereinLondonforthatprice，andevenforless——ThatwhichhaslatelybeenimportedfromBostonhasnotcostsomuch；

andwereitnotforthepresentuniversalscarcityofprovisionsinEurope，whichhasnaturallyraisedthepriceofgraininNorthAmerica，IhavenodoubtbutIndianmealmightbehadinthiscountryforlessthanonepennyfarthingperpound。

IncomposingtheIndianpuddingabovementioned，themolassesischargedat6d。thepound，butthatpriceisveryexorbitant。

Agallonofmolassesweighingabout10lb。commonlycostsintheWestIndiesfrom7d。to9d。sterling；andallowingsufficientlyfortheexpensesoffreight，insurance，andafairprofitforthemerchant，itcertainlyoughtnottocostinLondonmorethan1s。8d。

thegallon[18]；andthiswouldbringitto2d。perpound。

IfwetakethepricesofIndianmealandmolassesastheyarehereascertained，andcomputetheexpenseoftheingredientsforthepuddingbeforementioned，itwillbeasfollows：——

Pence。Pence。

3lb。ofIndianmealat……11/4……33/4

3/4lb。ofmolassesat……2……11/2

1oz。ofsaltat2d。perlb……01/8——

Totalfortheingredients，53/8

Nowasthepuddingweighed101/16lbs。thisgivestwofarthings，verynearly，foreachpoundofpudding；whichiscertainlyverycheapindeed，particularlywhentheexcellentqualitiesoftheFoodareconsidered。

Thispudding，whichoughttocomeoutofthebagsufficientlyhardtoretainitsform，andeventobecutintoslices，issorichandpalatable，thatitmayverywellbeeatenwithoutanysauce；butthosewhocanafforditcommonlyeatitwithbutter。

Asliceofthepudding，abouthalfaninch，orthreequartersofaninchinthickness，beinglaidhotuponaplate，anexcavationismadeinthemiddleofit，withthepointoftheknife，intowhichasmallpieceofbutter，aslargeperhapsasanutmeg，isput，andwhereitsoonmelts。Toexpeditethemeltingofthebutter，thesmallpieceofpuddingwhichiscutoutofthemiddleoftheslicetoformtheexcavationforreceivingthebutter，isfrequentlylaidoverthebutterforafewmoments，andistakenaway(andeaten)assoonasthebutterismelted。

Ifthebutterisnotsaltenough，alittlesaltisputintoitafteritismelted。Thepuddingistobeeatenwithaknifeandfork，beginningatthecircumferenceoftheslice，andapproachingregularlytowardsthecenter，eachpieceofpuddingbeingtakenupwiththefork，anddippedintothebutter，ordippedintoitINPARTONLY，asiscommonlythecase，beforeitiscarriedtothemouth。

Tothosewhoareaccustomedtoviewobjectsuponagreatscale，andwhoaretoomuchemployedindirectingwhatoughttobedone，todescendtothosehumbleinvestigationswhicharenecessarytoshowHOWitistobeeffected，thesedetailswilldoubtlessappeartriflingandridiculous；butasmymindisstronglyimpressedwiththeimportanceofgivingthemostminuteandcircumstantialinformationrespectingtheMANNEROFPERFORMING

anyoperation，howeversimpleitmaybe，towhichpeoplehavenotbeenaccustomed，Imustbegtheindulgenceofthosewhomaynotfeelthemselvesparticularlyinterestedinthesedescriptions。

InregardtotheamountoftheexpenceforsauceforaplainIndian(bag)pudding，Ihavefoundthatwhenbutterisusedforthatpurpose，(andnoothersauceoughtevertobeusedwithit，)

halfanounceofbutterwillsufficeforonepoundofthepudding——

Itisverypossibletocontrivematterssoastousemuchmore；——perhapstwice，orthreetimesasmuch；——butifthedirectionsrelativetotheMANNERofeatingthisFood，whichhavealreadybeengiven，arestrictlyfollowed，theallowanceofbutterheredeterminedwillbequitesufficientforthepurposeforwhichitisdesigned；thatistosay，forgivinganagreeablerelishtothepudding——Thosewhoareparticularlyfondofbuttermayusethreequartersofanounceofitwithapoundofthepudding；butIamcertain，thattouseanouncewouldbetowasteittonopurposewhatever。

IfnowwereckonIrish，orotherfirkinbutter，(which，asitissalted，isthebestthatcanbeused，)ateightpencethepound，thesauceforonepoundofpudding，namely，halfanounceofbutter，willcostjustonefarthing；andthis，addedtothecostofthepudding，twofarthingsthepound，givesthreefarthingforthecostbythepoundofthiskindoffood，withitssauce；and，asthisfoodisnotonlyveryrichandnutritive，butsatisfyingatthesametimeinaveryremarkabledegree，itappearshowwellcalculateditisforfeedingthePoor。

Itshouldberemembered，thatthemolassesusedasaningredientintheseIndianpuddings，doesnotservemerelytogivetastetothem；——itactsastillmoreimportantpart；——itgiveswhat，inthelanguageofthekitchen，iscalledlightness——Itisasubstituteforeggs，andnothingbuteggscanserveasasubstituteforit，exceptitbetreacle；which，infact，isakindofmolasses；orperhapscoarsebrownsugar，whichhasnearlythesameproperties——Itpreventsthepuddingfrombeingheavy，andclammy；andwithoutcommunicatingtoitanydisagreeablesweettaste，oranythingofthatflavourpeculiartomolasses，givesitarichnessuncommonlypleasingtothepalate。Andtothiswemayadd，thatitisnutritiveinaveryextraordinarydegree——Thisisafactwellknowninallcountrieswheresugarismade。

Howfarthelawsandregulationsoftradeexistinginthiscountrymightrenderitdifficulttoprocuremolassesfromthoseplaceswhereitmaybehadatthecheapestrate，Iknownot；——norcanItellhowfarthefreeimportationofitmightbedetrimentaltoourpublicfinances；——Icannot，however，helpthinking，thatitissogreatanobjecttothiscountrytokeepdownthepricesofprovisions，orrathertocheckthealarmingceleritywithwhichtheyarerising，thatmeansoughttobefoundtofacilitatetheimportation，andintroductionintocommonuse，ofanarticleofFoodofsuchextensiveutility。Itmightservetocorrectinsomemeasure，thebalefulinfluenceofanotherarticleofforeignproduce，(tea，)whichisdoinginfiniteharminthisisland。

ApointofgreatimportanceinpreparinganIndianpudding，istoboilitPROPERLYandSUFFICIENTLY。Thewatermustbeactuallyboilingwhenthepuddingisputintoit；anditnevermustbesufferedtoceaseboilingforamoment，tillitisdone；andifthepuddingisnotboiledfullsixhours，itwillnotbesufficientlycooked——Itshardness，whendone，willdependonthespaceleftinthebagitsexpansion。Theconsistencyofthepuddingoughttobesuch，thatitcanbetakenoutofthebagwithoutfallingtopieces；——butitisalwaysbetter，onmanyaccounts，tomakeittoohardthantoosoft。Theformofthepuddingmaybethatofacylinder；ofratherofatruncatedcone，thelargestendbeingtowardsthemouthofthebag，inorderthatitmaybegotoutofthebagwithgreaterfacility；oritmaybemadeofaglobularform，bytyingitupinanapkin——Butwhateveristheformofthepudding，thebag，ornapkininwhichitistobeboiled，mustbewetinboilingwaterbeforethepudding，(whichisquiteliquidbeforeitisboiled，)ispouredintoit；otherwiseitwillbeapttorunthroughthecloth。

Thoughthispuddingissogood，perfectlyplain，whenmadeaccordingtothedirectionsheregiven，thatIdonotthingitcapableofanyrealimprovement；yettherearevariousadditionsthatmaybemadetoit，andthatfrequentlyaremadetoit，whichmayperhapsbethoughtbysometorenderitmorepalatable，orotherwisetoimproveit。Suetmay，forinstance，beadded，andthereisnosuetpuddingwhateversuperiortoit；andasnosauceisnecessarywithasuetpudding，theexpenceforthesuetwillbenearlybalancedbythesavingofbutter。Toapuddingofthesizeofthatjustdescribed，inthecompositionofwhichthreepoundsofIndianmealwereused，onepoundofsuetwillbesufficient；andthis，ingeneral，willnotcostmorethanfromfivepencetosixpence，eveninLondon；——andthebutterforsaucetoaplainpuddingofthesamesizewouldcostnearlyasmuch。Thesuetpuddingwillindeedberatherthecheapestofthetwo，forthepoundofsuetwilladdapoundinweighttothepudding；——whereasthebutterwillonlyaddfiveounces。

Asthepudding，madeplain，weighing101/16lb。cost53/8pence，thesamepudding，withtheadditionofonepoundofsuet，wouldweigh111/16lb。andwouldcost111/8pence，——reckoningthesuetatsixpencethepound——HenceitappearsthatIndiansuetpuddingmaybemadeinLondonforaboutonepennyapound。

Wheatenbread，whichisbynomeanssopalatable，andcertainlynothalfsonutritive，nowcostssomethingmorethanthreepencethepound：andtothismaybeadded，thatdrybreadcanhardlybeeatenalone；butofsuetpuddingaverycomfortablemealmaybemadewithoutanythingelse。

ApuddingingreatreputeinallpartsofNorthAmerica，iswhatiscalledanapplepudding。ThisisanIndianpudding，sometimeswith，andsometimeswithoutsuet，withdriedcuttingsofsweetapplesmixedwithit；andwheneatenwithbutter，itismostdeliciousFood。Theseapples，whichareparedassoonastheyaregatheredfromthetree，andbeingcutintosmallpieces，arefreedfromtheircores，andthoroughlydriedinthesun，maybekeptgoodforseveralyears。Theproportionsoftheingredientsusedinmakingtheseapplepuddingsarevarious；but，ingeneral，aboutonepoundofdriedapplesismixedwiththreepoundsofmeal，——threequartersofapoundofmolasses，——halfanounceofsalt，andfivepintsofboilingwater。

InAmerica，variouskindsofberries，foundwildinthewoods，suchashuckle-berries，belberries，whortle-berries，etc。aregatheredanddried，andafterwardsusedasingredientsinIndianpuddings：anddriedcherriesandplumsmaybemadeuseofinthesamemanner。

AlltheseIndianpuddingshavethisadvantageincommon，thattheyareverygoodWARMEDUP——Theywillallkeepgoodseveraldays；andwhencutintothinslicesandtoasted，areanexcellentsubstituteforbread。

Itwilldoubtlessberemarked，thatincomputingtheexpenceofprovidingthesedifferentkindsofpuddings，Ihavetakennonoticeoftheexpencewhichwillbenecessaryforfueltocookthem——Thisisanarticlewhichoughtundoubtedlytobetakenintotheaccount。Thereasonofmynotdoingithereisthis：——

Having，inthecourseofmyExperimentsonHeat，foundmeanstoperformallthecommonoperationsofcookerywithasurprisinglysmallexpenceoffuel，Ifindthattheexpenceinquestion，whentheproperarrangementsaremadeforsavingfuel，willbeverytrifling。Andfarther，asImeansoontopublishmyTreatiseontheManagementofHeat，inwhichIshallgivethemostampledirectionsrelativetothemechanicalarrangementsofkitchenfire-places，andthebestformsforallkindsofkitchenutensils，IwasdesirousnottoanticipateasubjectwhichwillmorenaturallyfinditsplaceinanotherEssay——InthemeantimeI

wouldobserve，forthesatisfactionofthosewhomayhavedoubtsrespectingthesmallnessoftheexpencenecessaryforfuelincookingforthePoor，thattheresultofmanyexperiments，ofwhichIshallhereafterpublishaparticularaccount，hasprovedinthemostsatisfactorymanner，thatwhenFoodispreparedinlargequantities，andcookedinkitchensproperlyarranged，theexpenseforfueloughtnevertoamounttomorethantwopercent。

ofthecostoftheFood，evenwherevictualsofthecheapestkindareprovided，suchasiscommonlyusedinfeedingthePoor。

InthePublicKitchenoftheHouseofIndustryatMunichtheexpenceforfuelislessthanonepercent。ofthecostoftheFood，asmaybeseeninthecomputation，page206，ChapterIII。

ofthisEssay：anditoughtnottobegreaterinmanypartsofGreatBritain。

WithregardtothepriceatwhichIndianCorncanbeimportedintothiscountryfromNorthAmericaintimeofpeace，thefollowinginformation，whichIprocuredthroughthemediumofafriend，fromCaptainScott，amostworthyman，whohasbeenconstantlyemployedabovethirtyyearsasmasterofashipinthetradebetweenLondonandBostonintheStateofMassachusetts，willdoubtlessbeconsideredasauthentic[19]。

Thefollowingarethequestionswhichwereputtohim，——withhisanswerstothem：

Q。Whatisthefreight，perton，ofmerchandisefromBostoninNorthAmericatoLondonintimeofpeace？——A。Fortyshillings(sterling)。

Q。Whatisthefreight，perbarrel，ofIndianCorn？——A。Fiveshillings。

Q。Howmuchpercent。ispaidforinsurancefromBostontoLondonintimeofpeace？——A。Twopercent。

Q。WhatisthemediumpriceofIndianCorn，perbushel，inNewEngland？——A。Twoshillingsandsixpence。

Q。Whatisthepriceofitatthistime？——A。Threeshillingsandsixpence。

Q。HowmanybushelsofIndianCornarereckonedtoabarrel？——

A。FourFromthisaccountitappearsthatIndianCornmight，intimeofpeace，beimportedintothiscountryandsoldhereforlessthanfourshillingsthebushel；——andthatitoughtnottocostatthismomentmuchmorethanfiveshillingsabushel。

Ifitbeimportedincasks，(whichiscertainlythebestwayofpackingit，)asthefreightofabarrelcontainingfourbushelsisfiveshillings，thisgives1s。3d。abushelforfreight；andifweaddonepennyabushelforinsurance，thiswillmaketheamountoffreightandinsurance1s。4d。which，addedtotheprimecostoftheCorninAmerica，(2s。6d。perbushelinthetimeofpeace，and3s。6d。atthistime，)willbringitto3s。10d。perbushelintimeofpeace，and4s。10datthispresentmoment。

AbushelofIndianCornofthegrowthofNewEnglandwasfoundtoweigh61lb。；butwewillsupposeittoweighatamediumonly60

lb。perbushel；andwewillalsosupposethattoeachbushelofCornwhengroundthereis9lb。ofbran，whichissurelyaverylargeallowance，and1lb。ofwasteingrindingandsifting；——

thiswillleave50lb。offlourforeachbusheloftheCorn；

andasitwillcost，intimeofpeace，only3s。10d。or46pence，thisgivesforeachpoundofflour46/50ofapenny，or33/4

farthingsverynearly。

IfthepriceoftheIndianCornperbushelbetakenat4s。10d。

whatitoughttocostatthistimeinLondon，withoutanybountyonimportationbeingbroughtintotheaccount，——thepriceoftheflourwillbe4s。10dequalto58pencefor50lb。inweight，or11/6pennythepound，whichislessthanonethirdofthepresentpriceofwheatflour。Rice，whichiscertainlynotmorenourishingthanIndianCorn，costs41/2pencethepound。

If1/13ofthevalueofIndianCornbeaddedtodefraytheexpenceofgrindingit，thepriceoftheflourwillnoteventhenbegreaterinLondonthanonepennythepoundintimeofpeace，andaboutonepennyfarthingatthepresenthighpriceofthatgraininNorthAmerica。Henceitappears，thatinstatingthemeanpriceinLondonoftheflourofIndianCornatonepennyfarthing，Ihaveratherratedittoohighthantoolow。

Withregardtotheexpenseofimportingit，theremaybe，anddoubtlesstherearefrequentlyotherexpencesbesidesthoseoffreightandinsurance；but，ontheotherhand，averyconsiderablepartoftheexpencesattendingtheimportationofitmaybereimbursedbytheprofitsarisingfromthesaleofthebarrelsinwhichitisimported，asIhavebeeninformedbyapersonwhoimportsiteveryyear，andalwaysavailshimselfofthatadvantage。

OnecircumstancemuchinfavouroftheintroductionofIndianCornintocommonuseinthiscountryisthefacilitywithwhichitmaybehadinanyquantity。Itgrowsinallquartersoftheglobe，andalmostineveryclimate；andinhotcountriestwoorthreecropsofitmayberaisedfromthesamegroundinthecourseofayear——ItsucceedsequallywellinthecoldregionsofCanada；——inthetemperateclimesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica；——andintheburningheatsofthetropics；anditmightbehadfromAfricaandAsiaaswellasfromAmerica。Andwereiteventrue，——whatInevercanbepersuadedtobelieve，——thatitwouldbeimpossibletointroduceitasanarticleofFoodinthiscountry，itmightatleastbeusedasfodderforcattle，whoseaversiontoit，Iwillventuretosay，wouldnotbefoundtobeUNCONQUERABLE。

Oatsnowcostneartwopencethepoundinthiscountry。

IndianCorn，whichwouldcostbutalittlemorethanhalfasmuch，wouldcertainlybemuchmorenourishing，evenforhorses，aswellasforhornedcattle；——andasforhogsandpoultry，theyoughtnevertobefedwithanyothergrain。ThosewhohavetastedtheporkandthepoultryfattedonIndianCornwillreadilygivetheirassenttothisopinion。

CHAPTER。VII。

ReceiptsforpreparingvariousKindsofcheapFood。

OfMACCARONI。

OfPOTATOES。

Approvedreceiptsforboilingpotatoes。

Ofpotatoepuddings。

Ofpotatoedumplings。

Ofboiledpotatoeswithasauce。

Ofpotatoesalad。

OfBARLEY

Ismuchmorenutritiousthanwheat。

Barleymeal，agoodsubstituteforpearlbarley，formakingsoups。

Generaldirectionsforpreparingcheapsoups。

Receiptforthecheapestsoupthatcanbemade。

OfSAMP

MethodofpreparingitIsanexcellentSubstituteforBread。

OfbrownSoup。

OfRYEBREAD。

WhenIbeganwritingtheforegoingChapterofthisEssay，IhadhopesofbeingabletoprocuresatisfactoryinformationrespectingthemannerinwhichthemaccaronieatenbythePoorinItaly，andparticularlyinthekingdomofNaples，isprepared；——

butthoughIhavetakenmuchpainsinmakingtheseinquiries，mysuccessinthemhasnotbeensuchasIcouldhavewished：——

Theprocess，Ihaveoftenbeentold，isverysimple；andfromtheverylowpriceatwhichmaccaroniissold，readycooked，totheLazzaroniinthestreetsofNaples，itcannotbeexpensive——

ThereisabetterkindofmaccaroniwhichispreparedandsoldbythenunsinsomeoftheconventsinItaly，whichismuchdearer；

butthissortwouldinanycountrybetooexpensivetobeusedasFoodforthePoor——ItishowevernotdearerthanmanykindsofFoodusedbythePoorinthiscountry；andasitisverypalatableandwholesome，andmaybeusedinavarietyofways，areceiptforpreparingitmayperhapsnotbeunacceptabletomanyofmyreaders。

AReceiptformakingthatKindofMaccaronicalledinItalyTAGLIATI。

Takeanynumberoffresh-laideggsandbreakthemintoabowlortray，beatthemupwithaspoon，butnottoafroth，——addofthefinestwheatflourasmuchasisnecessarytoformadoughoftheconsistenceofpaste——Workthispastewellwitharolling-pin；——

rollitoutintoverythinleaves；——laytenortwelveoftheseleavesoneupontheother，andwithasharpknifecutthemintoveryfinethreads——Thesethreads(which，ifthemassisofaproperconsistency，willnotadheretoeachother)aretobelaidonacleanboard，oronpaper，anddriedintheair。

Thismaccaroni，(orcutpasteasitiscalledinGermany，whereitisingreatrepute，)maybeeateninvariousways；butthemostcommonwayofusingitistoeatitwithmilkinsteadofbread，andwithchickenbroth，andotherbrothsandsoups，withwhichitisboiled。Withpropercareitmaybekeptgoodformanymonths。Itissometimesfriedinbutter，andinthiswayofcookingit，itformsamostexcellentdishindeed；inferior，Ibelieve，tonodishofflourthatcanbemade。Itisnot，however，averycheapdish，aseggsandbutterarebothexpensivearticlesinmostcountries。

AninferiourkindofcutpasteissometimespreparedbythePoorinGermany，whichismadesimplyofwaterandwheatflour，andthishasmoreresemblancetocommonmaccaronithanthatjustdescribed；andmight，inmanycases，beusedinsteadofit。Idonotthink，however，thatitcanbekeptlongwithoutspoiling；

whereasmaccaroni，asiswellknown，maybekeptgoodforagreatlengthoftime——ThoughIhavenotbeenabletogetanysatisfactoryinformationrelativetotheprocessofmakingmaccaroni，yetIhavemadesomeexperimentstoascertaintheexpenseofcookingit，andofthecostofthecheesenecessaryforgivingitarelish。

Halfapoundofmaccaroni，whichwaspurchasedatanItalianshopinLondon，andwhichcosttenpence[20]，wasboiledtillitwassufficientlydone，namely，aboutonehourandanhalf，when，beingtakenoutoftheboilingwaterandweighed，itwasfoundtoweighthirty-oneouncesandanhalf，oronepoundfifteenouncesandanhalf。Thequantityofcheeseemployedtogivearelishtothisdishofboiledmaccaroni，(andwhichwasgratedoveritafteritwasputintothedish，)wasoneounce，andcosttwofarthings。

MaccaroniisconsideredasverycheapFoodinthosecountrieswhereitispreparedinthegreatestperfection，andwhereitisincommonuseamongthelowerclassesofsociety；andaswheat，ofwhichgrainitisalwaysmade，isastaplecommodityinthiscountry，itwouldcertainlybeworthwhiletotakesometroubletointroducethemanufactureofit，particularlyasitisalreadybecomeanarticleofluxuryuponthetablesoftherich，andasgreatquantitiesofitareannuallyimportedandsoldhereatamostexorbitantprice[21]：——ButmaccaroniisbynomeansthecheapestFoodthatcanbeprovidedforfeedingthePoor，inthisisland；——nordoIbelieveitissoinanycountry——Polenta，orIndianCorn，ofwhichsomuchhasalreadybeensaid，——

andPotatoes，ofwhichtoomuchcannotbesaid，——arebothmuchbetteradapted，inallrespects，forthatpurpose——Maccaroniwouldhowever，Iampersuaded，coulditbepreparedinthiscountry，bemuchlessexpensivethanmanykindsofFoodnowcommonlyusedbyourPoor；andconsequentlymightbeofconsiderableusetothem。

WithregardtoPotatoestheyarenowsogenerallyknownandtheirusefulnessissouniversallyacknowledged，thatitwouldbeawasteoftimetoattempttorecommendthem——Ishallthereforecontentmyselfwithmerelygivingreceiptsforafewcheapdishesinwhichtheyareemployedasaprincipalingredient。

ThoughthereisnoarticleusedasFoodofwhichagreatervarietyofwell-tastedandwholesomedishesmaybepreparedthanofpotatoes，yetitseemstobetheunanimousopinionofthosewhoaremostacquaintedwiththeseusefulvegetables，thatthebestwayofcookingthemistoboilthemsimply，andwiththeirskinson，inwater——Butthemannerofboilingthemisbynomeansamatterofindifference——ThisprocessisbetterunderstoodinIreland，wherebymuchthegreaterpartoftheinhabitantslivealmostentirelyonthisFood，thananywhereelse。

Thisiswhatmighthavebeenexpected；——butthosewhohaveneverconsideredwithattentiontheextremeslownessoftheprogressofnationalimprovements，WHERENOBODYTAKESPAINSTOACCELERATE

THEM，willdoubtlessbesurprisedwhentheyaretoldthatinmostpartsofEngland，thoughtheuseofpotatoesalloverthecountryhasforsomanyyearsbeengeneral，yet，tothishour，few，comparatively，whoeatthem，knowhowtodressthemproperly——

Theinhabitantsofthosecountrieswhichlieonthesea-coastoppositetoIrelandhaveadoptedtheIrishmethodofboilingpotatoes；butitismorethanprobablethatacenturyatleastwouldhavebeenrequiredforthoseimprovementstohavemadetheirwaythroughtheisland，hadnotthepresentalarmsonaccountofascarcityofgrainrousedthepublic，andfixedtheirattentionuponasubjecttoolongneglectedinthisenlightenedcountry。

Theintroductionofimprovementstendingtoincreasethecomfortsandinnocentenjoymentsofthatnumerousandusefulclassofmankindwhoearntheirbreadbythesweatoftheirbrow，isanobjectnotmoreinterestingtoabenevolentmindthanitisimportantintheeyesofanenlightenedstatesman。

Thereare，withoutdoubt，GREATMENwhowillsmileatseeingtheseobservationsconnectedwithasubjectsohumbleandobscureastheboilingofpotatoes，butGOODMENwillfeelthatthesubjectisnotunworthyoftheirattention。

Thefollowingdirectionsforboilingpotatoes，whichIhavecopiedfromalateReportoftheBoardofAgriculture，Icanrecommendfrommyownexperience：

OntheboilingofPotatoessoastobeeatasBread。

ThereisnothingthatwouldtendmoretopromotetheconsumptionofpotatoesthantohavethepropermodeofpreparingthemasFoodgenerallyknown——InLondon，thisislittleattendedto；

whereasinLancashireandIrelandtheboilingofpotatoesisbroughttoverygreatperfectionindeed。Whenpreparedinthefollowingmanner，ifthequalityoftherootisgood，theymaybeeatasbread，apracticenotunusualinIreland——Thepotatoesshouldbe，asmuchaspossible，ofthesamesize，andthelargeandsmallonesboiledseparately——Theymustbewashedclean，and，withoutparingorscraping，putinapotwithcoldwater，notsufficienttocoverthem，astheywillproducethemselves，beforetheyboil，aconsiderablequantityoffluid——Theydonotadmitbeingputintoavesselofboilingwaterlikegreens——

Ifthepotatoesaretolerablylarge，itwillbenecessary，assoonastheybegintoboil，tothrowinsomecoldwater，andoccasionallytorepeatit，tillthepotatoesareboiledtotheheart，(whichwilltakefromhalfanhourtoanhourandaquarter，accordingtotheirsize，)theywillotherwisecrack，andbursttopiecesontheoutside，whilsttheinsidewillbenearlyinacrudestate，andconsequentlyveryunpalatableandunwholesome——Duringtheboiling，throwinginalittlesaltoccasionallyisfoundagreatimprovement，anditiscertainthattheslowertheyarecookedthebetter——Whenboiled，pouroffthewater，andevaporatethemoisture，byreplacingthevesselinwhichthepotatoeswereboiledoncemoreoverthefire——

Thismakesthemremarkablydryandmealy——Theyshouldbebroughttothetablewiththeskinson，andeatwithalittlesalt，asbread——Nothingbutexperiencecansatisfyanyonehowsuperiorthepotatoeis，thusprepared，ifthesortisgoodandmeally——Somepreferroastingpotatoes；butthemodeabovedetailed，extractedpartlyfromtheinterestingpaperofSamuelHayes，Esquire，ofAvondale，inIreland，(ReportontheCultureofPotatoes，P。103。)，andpartlyfromtheLancashirereprintedReport(p。63。)，andothercommunicationstotheBoard，isatleastequal，ifnotsuperior——Somehavetriedboilingpotatoesinsteam，thinkingbythatprocessthattheymustimbibelesswater——Butimmersioninwatercausesthedischargeofacertainsubstance，whichthesteamaloneisincapableofdoing，andbyretainingwhich，theflavouroftherootisinjured，andtheyafterwardsbecomedrybybeingputoverthefireasecondtimewithoutwater——Withalittlebutter，ormilk，offish，theymakeanexcellentmess。

Thesedirectionsaresoclear，thatitishardlypossibletomistakethem；andthosewhofollowthemexactlywillfindtheirpotatoessurprisinglyimproved，andwillbeconvincedthatthemannerofboilingthemisamatterofmuchgreaterimportancethanhashithertobeenimagined。

Werethismethodofboilingpotatoesgenerallyknownincountrieswherethesevegetablesareonlybeginningtomaketheirwayintocommonuse，——asinBavaria，forinstance，——Ihavenodoubtbutitwouldcontributemorethananythingelsetotheirspeedyintroduction。

Thefollowingaccountofanexperiment，latelymadeinoneoftheparishesofthismetropolis(London)，wascommunicatedtomebyafriend，whohaspermittedmetopublishit——Itwillservetoshow，——whatIammostanxioustomakeappear，——thattheprejudicesofthePoorinregardtotheirFoodARENOT