WHAT TO DO WITH EMPTY TINS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 October 1908, Page 11

WHAT TO DO WITH EMPTY TINS.

Those who have road "Under the Care of tho . Japanese War Office/' tho story of ail English nurse who was permitted,'at Queen Alexandra's .request, to study Japaneso hospital methods during the recent war, will remember how amazed she was at tho use to which' tho Japaneso soldiers put overy scrap of tin that came in their way. Every sort of tin thing', from a biscuit tin to a pepper box, was'transformed into some now object of utility, very often returning to the kitchen as a cooking.utensil. An American magazine, without going as far as this or suggesting so' much skilled .manipulation, gives various excellent suggestions for the use of those empty tins which so quickly accumulate in most

' An empty coffeo tin is excellent to replace a sponge bag when travelling. A pound l tin will hold a nail brush, flannel" and sponge, and you Will find it chcap and waterproof; If you add a coat of enamol, the sponge tin becomes quite decorative; but remember to leave a plain pieco of tin at the top, as otherwise the coat of paint will .make. the lid fit too tightly. , Syrup tins mako .capital little flower pots when artistically enamelled, and-fill up dark corners admirably. Flat-sided mustard tins are invaluable for decoration. They must be painted dark oak inside and out, care having been taken to ascertain if they are - watertight. Being flat, they can be nailed into otherwise , impossible corners and aro hardly discernible from' the actual woodwork. Flowers and moss last wonderfully in these, tins. ... . Another idea for an, empty tin is to use it for a bottle tidy. Some medicines, particularly those containing oil, are apt, when set down, to leave an unsightly mark. Keeping, tho 'bottlo in a tin obviates this, and, after taking a dose, the . medicine itself remains hidden until tne " noxt time." Tins can also be adapted for corner wall decorations, in rooms by joining tlireo enamelled ones together and utilising them for the display of tall, grasses, ferns,, and longstemmed flowers. Select the tins and bore holes in them, near the tops, through which run and twist wire to keep them firmly together, twisting the wire into small loops to' hang up by. It is as well to bind them round with wire, near the bottom, as it will prevent any possible unsteadiness. You need not use tins of any one size; tall ones look well at the back and short ones in front. The enamelling depends on your own taste, and, with a little skill as well in painting, charming results are obtained.