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Setting Sponge

Strain the yeast and water into a pan and mix in half the flour. Beat the batter thus made thoroughly. Scrape down the sides of the pan. Pour a spoonful of melted lard on top and spread it with the back of the fingers. This is to prevent a crust forming on top. Cover with a cloth and set the sponge in a moderately warm place to rise 4 or 5 hours.

Making up The Dough.

The sponge having been set at 8 in the morning, beat it again about one, add the salt and make up stiff dough with the rest of the flour. Knead the dough on the table, alternately drawing it up in round shape and pressing the pulled-over edges into the middle and then pressing it out to a flat sheet, folding over and pressing out again.

Brush the clean scraped pan over with the least touch of melted lard or butter-which prevents sticking and waste of dough-place the dough in and brush that over, too. Where economy reigns the strictest a little warm water in a cup, and teaspoonful of lard melted in it will do for this brushing over and insures the truest saving and smoothest bread. Let the dough rise till 4.