_The box_ may be an unpainted one such as can be obtained for a few
cents from any store where one of suitable size and shape is used, or
it may be a handsome hardwood chest, or even an old trunk. In selecting
it, choose one made of sufficiently heavy boards to admit of having
hinges and a hasp put on it. If it is to be used in a dining-room, or
where attractive appearance is to be desired, it may be covered with
chintz or denim, or a coat of paint, if not made of finished hard wood.
An old ice-box, one that has a hinged lid at the top, has been utilized
for this purpose with success. A barrel makes an excellent hay-box,
especially for very large kettles, but the cover cannot easily be hinged
and must, therefore, be weighted to hold it down tight. In size the box
should be from two to five inches larger in every dimension than the
kettle it contains. The kettle is, therefore, the first thing to be
secured, and full directions for choosing it are given on page 13. The
next point to consider is the packing material. When this has been
chosen, the directions for packing the box, given on page 15, will tell
how much space must be allowed for insulation and, consequently, of what
size the box must be. If it is so large as to admit of more insulation
than that absolutely required, there is no objection, only a possible
gain. If it is intended to pack the box with more than one utensil this
will also have a bearing upon its size. Allow nearly, or quite, double
the insulation between the utensils that is provided on the other sides,
otherwise there may be difficulty in removing one utensil while the
other is still cooking.
_Hinges_ and a _hasp_, or some device to hold the cover of the box shut,
will be necessary, as the packing should be such that there is a little
upward pressure on the cover.
A _cushion_ is desirable to cover each kettle used, one which is thick
enough to fill the hay-box after the kettle is in place. For making
these cushions use muslin, denim, or any thing of the kind that is at
hand, filling them, generally, with the same material as that used in
packing the box. Shape them like a miniature mattress, joining two
pieces which are the dimensions of the top of the box with a strip which
is from two and one-half inches to four or five inches wide, the width
depending upon the material with which the cushion is stuffed, some
materials requiring thicker insulation than others.
[Illustration: HAY-BOX WITH TWO COMPARTMENTS.
Partly packed compartment of hay-box, showing pail in place for packing.
Cushion. “Space adjuster.” Small pail to fit in “space adjuster.”