Fruit juices may be canned and made into jelly as wanted during the winter. Allow 1 cup of sugar to 6 cups of juice. Boil juice and sugar for 5 minutes. Pour into sterilized bottles or jars. Put into hot-water bath, with the water reaching to the neck of the containers. Allow to simmer 20 to 30 minutes. If jars are used half seal them during the simmering. Put absorbent cotton into the necks of bottles and when the bottles are taken from the bath put in corks, forcing the cotton into the neck. Corks should first be boiled and dried to prevent shrinking. They may also be boiled in paraffin to make them air-tight. After corking the bottles apply melted paraffin to the tops with a brush, to make an air-tight seal. Each bottle should be labeled and the label should specify the amount of sugar used. In making jelly from these juices during the winter follow the "Directions for Jelly Making," adding enough sugar to give the amount called for.
FRUIT BUTTERS
Fruit butters may be made from good sound fruits or the sound portions of fruits which are wormy or have been bruised. Wash, pare and remove seeds if there are any. Cover with water and cook 3 or 4 hours at a low temperature, stirring often, until the mixture is of the consistency of thick apple sauce. Add sugar to taste when the boiling is two-thirds done. Spices may be added to suit the taste when the boiling is completed. If the pulp is coarse it should be put through a wire sieve or colander. Pour the butter into sterilized jar, put on rubber and cover and adjust top bail. Put into a container having a cover and false bottom. Pour in an inch or so of water and sterilize quart jar or smaller jar 5 minutes after the steam begins to escape. Remove, push snap in place and cool.
Apple Butter with Cider
Four quarts of sweet or sterilized cider should be boiled down to 2 quarts. To this add 4 quarts of apples peeled and cut in small pieces. If the texture of the apples is coarse they should be boiled and put through a strainer before being added to the cider. Boil this mixture until the cider does not separate from the pulp. When two-thirds done add one pound of sugar. One-half teaspoonful each of cinnamon, allspice and cloves may be added. Pour into sterilized jars and sterilize 5 minutes in steam.
Apple and pear butter may be made by following the directions for apple butter with cider but omitting the cider.
Peach Butter
Dip peaches in boiling water long enough to loosen the skins. Dip in cold water, peel and stone them. Mash and cook them without adding any water. Add half as much sugar as pulp and cook until thick. Pour into sterilized jars and sterilize 5 minutes in steam.
Plum butter may be made following the directions for peach butter.