6 large coffee-cups of water.
Break the sugar to pieces with a stone or hammer; cover with the water—cold—and let it stand until it is nearly, or quite melted. Put over the fire and bring to a gentle boil, leaving the kettle uncovered. Boil, without stirring, until it is a pretty thick syrup.
If possible, buy maple sugar direct from the “sugar camps,” or their vicinity, and in large blocks. The pretty scolloped cakes offered by peanut venders at treble the price of the genuine article, are largely adulterated with other substances.
Cranberries.
Instead of expending my own time in covering a couple of sheets of paper with receipts touching this invaluable berry, I would direct the reader’s attention to the very admirable and comprehensive circular issued by Messrs. C. G. and E. W. Crane, as an accompaniment to their “First Premium Star Brand Cranberries,” raised in Ocean County, New Jersey. I have never seen finer, or tasted more delicious berries than those sent out with their stamp upon the crates, and I consider that I am doing my fellow-housekeepers a substantial service by this unqualified commendation of the same. The berries are larger, firmer and of richer flavor than those one is accustomed to see in the markets (and to buy, knowing no better), and certainly delivered in a more sightly and wholesome condition.
The receipts go with them, and are clear, safe, and excellent.
The plantations on which the “Star Berries” are grown are in Cassville, Ocean County, New Jersey.
Peanut Candy. (Very nice.)
1 scant pint of molasses.
4 quarts of peanuts, measured before they are shelled.