t must reach us before the
first of the month preceding that in which the answers are expected to
appear. In letters requesting answers by mail, please enclose address
and stamped envelope. Address queries to Janet M. Hill, Editor. AMERICAN
COOKERY, 221 Columbus Ave., Boston, Mass.

QUERY NO. 4241.--"I wish you would let me have a good recipe for Caramel
Icing, the kind that does not call for the whites of eggs."

Caramel Icing

Add two cups and one-half of dark brown sugar to three-fourths a cup of
milk, and let boil thirteen minutes. When nearly done add three
tablespoonfuls of butter and one teaspoonful of vanilla. Beat until
nearly cold, then spread on top of cake. It may also be used between the
layers. If a sugar thermometer be used, the syrup should be boiled to
the soft-ball stage, or between 235 deg. Fah. to 240 deg. Fah.

QUERY NO. 4242.--"Please let me have a recipe for Spiced Pineapple."

Spiced Pineapple

Weigh six pounds of pineapple, after paring, coring, and cutting in
rather small pieces. Cook in a porcelain kettle with three cups of the
best white vinegar, until the pineapple is softened, keeping the kettle
closely covered, and turning the fruit once in a while so that the
pieces may be equally exposed to the action of the vinegar. Tie in
cheesecloth or netting one ounce, each, of whole cloves, previously
bruised, and stick cinnamon, broken into small pieces; add these to the
kettle with five pounds of granulated sugar, and let cook until the
mixture is of the consistency of marmalade, being careful to avoid
burning. The spices may be removed as soon as they have given the flavor
desired.

QUERY NO. 4243.--"Will you kindly answer the following in your
Department of Queries and Answers? Should Boiled Potatoes be started in
cold or boiling water? Should Corn on the cob be put on in cold water
and allowed to simmer for several minutes after it comes to a boil, or
be put on in boiling water and boiled five minutes? Should Chicken,
Turkey, or other Fowl be covered during roasting? Can you give a clear
and up-to-date article on correct Table Service?"

To Boil Potatoes

Very young, new potatoes--the kind hardly bigger than walnuts, should be
put on in cold water and brought quickly to a boil, for potatoes so
young as to be immature contain more or less of a bitter principle,
which is desirable to get rid of in the cooking. Potatoes in their
prime, as from September to March, are