The measurements given in this book are exact, no deviation from them being allowed for. When the expression, one cupful or one teaspoonful, is used, it means that the cup or spoon is to be filled even full. This is particularly to be remembered in connection with soda, for if the spoon is at all heaped the rank taste and smell of the soda will be sure to spoil what otherwise might have been very good. In measuring soda the lumps should first be powdered; then take up a heaping spoonful, and with the finger laid across the spoon in such a way as to touch both sides, carefully remove all that is superfluous, having a smooth, even teaspoonful. Soda must always, unless otherwise specified, be dissolved in a little warm water before mixing it with other compounds.

Cream of tartar, on the contrary, should be put in dry and mixed with the flour. I have therefore put it next to flour in the lists of ingredients, and connected the two by a parenthesis to show that they go together. Where the quantity of flour is not mentioned definitely, mix the cream of tartar with a few spoonfuls of flour. Baking powder should be mixed in the same way. That used in this book is the Royal.

The only exception to the rule of exact measurements is in the case of butter. A cupful of butter should not be packed, but the butter should be put in loosely, in pieces.

The cup used for measuring is always the ordinarysized kitchen coffee-cup, holding just half a pint.

"Where a parenthesis occurs in a list, it shows that the ingredients connected by it are to be mixed together before adding anything else.

Where no directions are given for the order of mixing, no special order is necessary. In some places the directions may seem needlessly minute, but they are not really so. It is only by attending carefully to apparent trifles that one can become a good cook.

Wherever quotation-marks are used about a receipt or process in cooking, the reader should refer to the directions for same as contained in this book.