THE PICNIC FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18278, 20 December 1922, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE PICNIC FIRE.

Instead of methylated spirit lamps, tnko a bottle of paraffin and a lump of salt with you when on camping or picnic expeditions. An excellent lire for boiling a kettle can be prepared with these two articles.

When the fire is needed dig a hole in the ground about a foot in depth and measuring at the top a little less than the diameter of the kettle. Now take, a lump of salt about the size of an egg, place it at tho bottom of the hole, saturate it with paraffin and ignite. The kettle must bo placed so that a small opening is left to admit the air.

A fierce beat will arise from the oilsoaked salt and will last for some time. If a lump cannot be secured, powdered sail, may be piled in a tin lid and similarly soaked with paraffin. Even in a, windy position, or where everything is damp, at is nearly always possible to boil a kettle in the manner described.

A lump of coke, or any other similar porous material can he sub'si ituted for the. sail and similarly impregnated with paraffin. Precautions .-hould he taken to keep the paraffin well away from any food that may be carried.

li is a great mistake t 0 put a kettle right down on to an ordinary picnic wood fire. Placed in this way. the water takes a. long while to boil, and the handle becomes so hot that it is almost impossible to hold it.

The right way to sling the kettle is to place it so that, it is just above the hottest part of the flame. Into the ground on cither side of the fire press two forked sticks about three feet in height. Then crossways over these put a stick, passing it through the handle of the kettle. When it is desired to remove the kettle it is easy to tali*: the ends of the cross slick without burning tho hands.