Aunt Daisy's Mail-Bag

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 24, 25 November 1938, Page 22

Aunt Daisy's Mail-Bag

NFORMATION about mending a bathroom basin and preserving wedding veil is sought and given in the following letters from Aunt Daisy’s mail-bag this week :- Dear Aunt Daisy,-Could you please help me with a reciz> for mending 2a bathroom basin. You gave a hint, I think it was from 1ZB before you went away. My prother is geiting married tomorrow week. He has just bought a very nice house, but the basin in the bathroom has a crack in it. I think it was some powder that was to be mixed up.-Phyilis of Westown. Yes, Phyllis, we did have this question of a cracked bathroom basin crop up before I went away, and several people sent in good, proved methods for repairing it. Here is one reply: ‘Dear Aunt Daisy,-I heard you say this morning on the air that a lady had broien her wash basin in the bathroom through something falling on it. If it is not too badly cracked, she could use it for years if she took a strong strip of calico about an inch wide, and spread upon it a thin layer of white lead, made into a paste by mixing 2 little raw linseed oil with it. Stick it right down the crack, and let it dry for a few days before using the basin. Put it on the outside of the basin. When I was a child, my mother mended a vegetable dish that way, and, would you believe it, we constantly used that dish and washed it in hot water, just the same as the other dishes every day. For years we used that dish-in fact it was in use when I left home-so I think it would be just the thing for a cracked basin. for they are expensive to re-place.’-(Mrs, O.P., Ngaere.) "Just Another Link’’ has written on the same subject from Wanganui. She says: "We had the same experience as the lady who made the _ request about the cracked basin. My husband and ! had to go hurriedly to a funeral and we left the boys to ‘bach.’ They dropped the bathroom mirror into the basin. | was in a great state, because a new basin costs over £3. Well, my husband fixed it by using white lead all around the crack; then he put a piece of fine bird wirenetting underneath, fixing it to the ironwork which supports our basin. Then he put a coating of cement all over the netting-it takes a bit of patience, but does the Job all right and mine has been done over a year. "Of course, if the basin is leaking near the plug, I do not know if this would do, but in any case, yeu must not use the basin for a few days." And here’s still another method from Wanganui, from someone who signs herself ‘‘One of Your Interested Listeners’’: "While listening in to your very helpful session this morning, I heard you read a letter in which someone was inquiring how to mend a cracked porcelain basin. I had just had a new basin put in, when that very same week it was cracked again. So, as_T was desirous of mending it, I made inquiries how to do this. Here is_the recipe I was given: 8d. white lead; 1 smail tin goldsize. ‘Wiix a little of the white lead and goldsize to a thick paste. Spread on a strong piece of white linen, and put this on the outside of the cracked part of the basin. This forms a hard cement-like substance. which prevents the crack from being made worse. If there are any open cracks, fill with paste, and leave to dry." Wedding Veils Dear Aunt Daisy,-I heard you asking for a way to keep a wedding veil in good order, and thought I would let you know how I have kept mine good for eight years, and recently lent it to a friend. I have -@vays crumpled it rovghly up, and wrapped it in soft paper. This seems to be much better than leaving it folded. When I ironed it out to lend it to my friend, it was as good as new. Hoping this information will be useful. -"*A Constant Listener at Karori." Dear Aunt Daisy,-I have just heard the query for a method of preserving a wedding veil. Put it away in blue paper, but do not fold; lay it on the paper, which must be as large as possible, and roll up, paper and all. As a wedding veil is large, it will have to be turned over down the sides; if a roll of tissue paper is inserted in the fold before rolling, it will be quite all right for years. If it is folded flat it will rot at the folds. It is a good plan to shake it out after a year or so, and refold the opposite way."Young Wife" at Putaruru, Were is still another idea for keeping a wedding veil from perishing; and also a splendid method

of preserving berry fruits, which are now coming in fast. Dear Aunt Daisy,-In reference to your broadcast inviting suggestions for the preservation of wedding veils, may I submit the following which stood the test for twelve years. The veil has also been on loan to six other brides since being used by me-in-eluding one in Australia, Roll the veil in tissue paper to enable it to fit conveniently into a farge mason jJar-also deposit orange blossom-and screw lid of Jar on tight. Place the Jar in a wardrobe or the like away from the fight. My veil is as good as new, and is free from attacks of moths and silverfish, etc. Berry Fruits The following may also be of service in respect to the preserving of loganberries, strawberries, and raspberries, ete. Select fresh, firm, dry berries, and put in preserving jars. Add about half a cup of sugar to each jar, and serew on top without rubber ring. (Do not add water.) Place jars in a large saucepan of cold water and bring to the boil-letting simmer until fruit is tender, At the latter staze the jars will be only partly filled-the juice be~ ~ ing considerable. Fill jars from ot which have been similarly treat* and with the aid of rubber rit&S screw down lids tightly (must be air4 . Pee q I have adopted the above practice ™ for several years to date, and have not had a failure, The fruit still retains the flavour, .and cannot be detected from fresh fruit.-"Another Elizabeth" (Ormondville). Honeymoon Dear Aunt Daisy,-The little girl’s inquiry about how to spend a honeymoon interested me very much. How very sensible! It only goes ‘to prove that modern girls have more in their heads than pleasure and good times! This is my advice to her. If they can afford a caravan and a car, have a caravan honeymoon, C3 out into God’s open spaces, ant learn to know each other without anyone intruding on their privacy. The memory of that wonderful aloneness, just they two, would be so very sweet in after years. I dc: not thing tnat a boy and girl can learn to know each other fully during courtship days, as they are more or less on their best behay-: iour with each other. As one who was denied a private: honeymoon, I sincerely recommend these two to do this. Perhaps, if: we had had such a honeymoon, : many of the problems which: caused us some _ heart-burnings, would have been avoided in our married life, through the knowledge of each other’s peculiarities and failings. So, little girl, that you have long life and happiness together is my wish for you. And to you, Aunt Daisy, all good things that matter, and some more. — ‘Your Maori Listener." Too Hot An Iron? Dear Aunt Daisy,-Here is one of your little flower-buds in trouble, and as she cannot listen to your sessions, on account of business, she craves your personal attention. I have two frocks, on¢ petrel blue, and one mustard. ec;our, and not cheap mai€rial. Through pressing with a teo hot iron on the right side, over brown paper, I have made one or two shiny funny patches. You will, I think, have experienced this, it sometimes happens on the wrong side when you are not using a cloth, and the iron is too hot for the type of material. Now, is there anything I can do about it, or must we just be ruined.-Sin-cerely, "Christine of Mission Bay." Poor Christine, how dismayed you must have been when you found that the same thing had happened to both your pretty frocks. I had to consult the Daisy Chain about the matter, and here is a good suggestion from "Miramar" :- Dear Aunt Daisy,-Hearine your SOS for the iady who has shiny marks on her frock, I thought perhaps this suggestion might help her. I have removed iron marks in this way. Get the iron very hot, then wring out a cloth in water, and make it into a pad; hold it on the hot iron for a moment or two, then while it is steaming. lightly dab the — shiny patches... Don’t have the cloth too wet, or it will make damp patches, and just dab very lightly. I do hope this will help, as it_is very distressing to have an accident of this kind. — Miramar."