WHAT IS IT?

“This iron object was dug up in our backyard,” writes Ed Harvey of Edmonton. It measures 20 cm x 12 cm x 3 cm and has ”28” and ”PJH8” stamped into the metal. We’ve found old railroad spikes in our yard and suspect this may also be related to the railways, as our house was owned by a CNR steward from 1947 to 1974.” LATHER UP! Narda Julg of Deseronto, Ont., was one of many who identified last issue’s mystery item sent in by Virginia Cahill of Abottsford, B. C., as a soap saver. “I’m so tickled to see something I recognize from my childhood— my mother had one of these,” says Narda. Years ago, wash day was a huge process. Slivers of yellow laundry soap would be placed inside this mesh container and when it was full and tightly closed, Mother would take it by the handle and swish it back and forth in the hot water until there were enough suds to wash the clothes. Every tiny bit was used and nothing wasted.” Thanks to all who wrote in! Go to ourcanada.ca/what-is-it to identify this issue’s mystery item. Do you have a thingamajig of your own you can’t identify? Send along a photo of it, and it may appear on this page! See page at left for our address.