"The fate of a nation depends upon how it is fed."

So you see what a task constantly confronts us as cooks! And hence the need now and then of a new recipe book.

Ruskin has very aptly summarized this whole subject of cookery, thus, "Cookery means the knowledge of Medea and Circe and of Helen and of the Queen of Sheba. It means the know-ledge of all herbs and fruits and balms and spices, and all that is healing and sweet in the fields and groves, and savory in meats. It means carefulness and inventiveness and willingness and readiness of appliances. It means the economy of your grandmothers and the science of the modern chemist; it means much testing and no wasting; it means English thoroughness and French art and Arabian hospitality; and, in fine, it means that you are to be perfectly and always ladies - loaf givers."

Cookery is one of the oldest of the arts among women. There is, perhaps, a larger percentage of women all over the world engaged in this particular art, than any other. There are good artists, mediocre and poor ones in said field - just as in any other. We are happy to say we have chosen recipes from the first mentioned class. This recipe book is a compilation of tried and tested recipes.

As has been said before, we have felt the need and urge for this recipe book, and are publishing it now for many reasons. We aim to help the busy housewife in her problem of feeding the tired business man. You know the old saying, "To have and to hold." Also, we wish to aid the ultramodern maid through an old fashioned hint in an old fashioned way, namely, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." So, a hint to the wise is sufficient. We hope to awaken a new interest; to exchange Helpful little knacks, twists and turns, and most earnestly desire to bring to you a few new ideas, new tastes and flavors. If here and there, you glean a little happiness from these pages, it will bring joy to us too, and we shall feel ripely repaid for our efforts.

We want to thank each and every one of you who has so generously helped us in any way. We are grateful for your time and thought.

We wish to apologize for any errors, or omissions. "To err is human, to forgive, divine."

Ruth J. Menees.