THE EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8808, 21 December 1906, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

TO-DAY : S PROCEEDINGS There was a very good attendance at the Exhibition tin's morning, and it is likely that tho total for tho whole day will be a large one. The wood displays are now being attended to in several of the provincial courts. It ie expected that the competition in this direction will be a very interesting and attractive one. " This morning the poi-danoers from the Turakina College paid a visit to Mrs li. W. Bishop, at her residence in Gloucester Street, and performed several pois. Mrs Bishop is suffering from ill-health, and is confined to her room. She was able, however, to see the dancers, who performed on the lawn, from her window. The scene was a very pretty one, and Mrs Bishop felt highly pleased at tho graceful compliment paid to her. The girls from the college have become very popular in. Christchurch, and have been the recipients of many kindnesses. They are having a most enjoyable holiday, and appreciate the attention bcertowed upon them. CANNING DEMONSTRATION. Yesterday morning, at' tho Agricultural Court, a demonstration of canning and bottling wa^ given by Mr .Jaques, the canning export, about fifty persons being present. Mr Jaques fully explained the best kinds of bottlea to use, and the best method of ensuring that perfect vacuum so necessary to the proper preservation of the fruit. After having prepared the fruit or vegetables properly as demonstrated, the next process was the proper preparation of the bottles. Tho bottles should always bo thoroughly sterilized and heated before being used, the fni it or vegetables put into "them hot, and tho brine or syrup also poured on hot. Peas should be (Shelled, sorted aud put in a sieve, and the sieve placed in the preserving bath, filled with superheated water, for a few minutes. Doing this before the peas were actually cooked iii the bottles prevented the peas cracking. The cooking was done by placing tiie bottles, fitted witb peas and brine, in the preserving bath for ten. minutes ot more, according to the degree of heat in the bavh. The brine, for putting in the bottles of peas should be made with about lib or iJlb of salt to the gallon of water, and the bottles ehould he filled up to the brim. Tho lids should be screwed dow.iT lightly on the bottles as soon as the brine was poured on, and tightly afterwards wh^n the cookin% process was done, so as to secure a perfect vacuum. Later a number of bottles of gooseberries were also prepared, tho fruit being put in syrup. .From time to time further demonstrations will bo given during tlie frnit season, the next being towards the middle of January. Although these demonstrations in the matter of technical process deal with the subject more from the induistry than the household j point of view, still Mr Jaques makes many suggestions which are meet valuable to the ordinary housekeeper, and various ladies who attended expressed their warm appreciation of his instructive and interesting lecture.