ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22743, 2 December 1935, Page 8

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Inquirer,” Glehorchy.—To remove grease spots from a freshly concreted jicarthstone, a paste of chalk and petrol may be tried. It may be necessary to repeat this until the grease is absorbed and the stain removed. Care should be taken to keep the petrol away from fire or naked light. The hearthstone could be covered with a mixture of fine cement, coloured to a suitable tint, and waxed. Grease could then be more easily removed. The best way to keep a kauri sink bench clean Is to prevent It from being stained. Old newspapers or mats can be used for this purpose. Stains can be removed by an application of oxalic acid, but as this Is a poison care In the use of It Is necessary. J. W. K„ Hyde.—Voting at parliamentary elections has never been compulsory In New Zealand. It Is compulsory In Australia. " Subscriber," Herbert.—To preserve peas, for each pint Jar allow one teaspoonful of salt and one tablespoonrul of vinegar or lemon juice. To make the peas more flexible for packing, they may, if wished, be plunged into boiling water for 3 to 8 minutes, depending upon the toughness. To do this place them In a muslin cloth as this makes It easy to remove them from the water after the required time. Pack the peas after .the blanching Into hot jars, within one Inch of the top. Add the brine of water, the salt and vinegar. If desired one teaspoonful of sugar , may be added. Adjust the rubber, cover and clamp the lid of the • jar on lightly, or screw up, and unscrew one half-turn to allow fop expansion. Place the jars In a water container, in cold or luke warm water, deep enough to cover the jars. Bring the water to the boil. For fresh young peas, keep in the boiling water for two and a-half hours. Three hours is safer if the peas have been bought and are not strictly fresh. An alternative method, known as the intermittent method, is particularly satisfactory. It is not necessary to use lemon or vinegar in this case and this Improves the colour and flavour. Otherwise cook as above for one hour, let stand overnight, and repeat on two successive days. After the first cooking Seal the jars by having the lids screwed on firmly and do not unscrew before cooking the second and third time. When the processing is finished/ again screw lids as tightly as possible, and invert the jars. If there should be a leak a new lid should ■be tried, and the jars resterilised for a shorter period. A cloudy appearance of the liquid In the jars after a few days does not necessarily mean spoilage, but may mean that the peas were carelessly handled, breaking the capsule which encloses the starch, and allowing this to be set free.