Though May has made a very bad start ╤ particularly after the gracious behaviour of April ╤ one may legitimately expect plenty of opportunities for outdoor excursions from now onwards; and (putting the memory of last week's disastrous weather out of one's head) the provisioning of such excursions becomes a timely subject of consideration.
The proper packing of the picnic basket is as essential as the provision of suitable viands, and the memory alone should not be regarded as sufficiently trustworthy when collecting the supply of eatables together. Make out a list of all that will be required, then look over it and mentally sum up the accessories to meats and sweets and the number of knives, forks, and spoons required, allowing nothing superfluous. Do not forget the corkscrews and a tin-opener. Have a good supply of thick paper dishes, such as are used by fruiterers. They are easily packed and can be used for undressed salads, pastries, or bread. Paper serviettes are better than damask ones. Sandwiches should be packed in cardboard boxes in grease-proof paper, butter should be in a covered jar, cream should be taken in a bottle. Devonshire cream keeps better in a tin lined with grease-proof paper. Salt is better in sprinklers, no spoons then being required. Pepper will not be necessary if a small bottle of cayenne is taken. A jar of French mustard might well take the place of the mustard pot, which is liable to be broken or to allow the escape of the mustard.
A chicken or veal galantine, a lobster salad, two or three dishes of sandwiches, a dish of ham, some sweets, with cheese, biscuits, and butter, make a very good selection for a picnic basket for six or eight people. Cold meat may always be added, or savouries, such as sardines or various foreign sausages.
