An old method for making jars out of bottles. I remember as children (in
Australia) some 50 years ago trying this method but if my memory serves me
right it was never very successful.I cannot recall where we got the idea
from but I have found a reference in a book on how to drill holes in old
wine glasses to make a hanging vase. The reference is - Rawson L "Australian
Enquiry Book of Houshold and General Information: A practical guide for the
Cottage, Villa, and Bush Home: Recipies and Information upon Everything and
for Everybody" A Facsimile edition of the 1894 edition published by Kangaroo
Press, Kenthurst.
A facinating book, it even has a recipe for Mushroom ketchup for those
following another thread on this list. It contains Mushrooms, salt, pepper,
all spice, cloves and peppercorns and according to the recipe " this ketchup
will keep for years" (maybe because no one would eat it)
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kris Farmen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 7:32 AM
Subject: Homemade jelly jars


> I was recently doing some research into the history of a particular gold
> rush town in Interior Alaska (not important which one) and I found a
> description of the following method for making "homemade" jars for use
> in preserving.  Apparently, this one house matron would take a cotton
> string, dip it in kerosene, then tie it around the shoulder of a
> bottle.  Then she would light the string so it burned all the way around
> and heated up the shoulder of the bottle.  Finally, the bottle was
> dunked into a bucket of icy water, and the rapid temperature change
> caused the neck and finish to snap off, leaving the cylindrical portion
> of the bottle, which could be filled with preserves and sealed with wax.
>
> Anyone on the list ever heard of others doing this?  I'm curious to try
> a little experamental archaeology and see if it works. . .
>
>
> Kris Farmen
> Northern Land Use Research, Inc.
> Fairbanks, Alaska