Evening star., 1951-09-26
Readers
Clearing House
Conducted BY BETSY CASWELL
JAPAN


In reply to the lady making the
trip to Japan. I will try to give
some pointers I think may be
helpful. cannot recall all specific
questions but here goes.
AS for the trip over. If you are
lucky enough to know which
route your ship will take before
you leave home your clothes prob
lem is easier. If Gas is generally
the case) you do not. my sugges-
|tion would be to take at least 2
pairs Of slacks, several lightweight
sweaters and some blouses. Also,
"a heavy coat and if you really
want to be prepared I'd take
|raincoat. For the children I'd Sug-
|gest dark colored slacks or cord
uroys and long sleeved shirts,
sweaters and coats. Rubber soled
or walking shoes are suggested
for the ship. In the evening one
usually wears a dress or suit for
dinner. No formal clothes are
needed and definitely no shorts.
There are usually play rooms
for the children aboard and on
some ships you may leave chill
dren in playrooms while you go to
meals. (You will feed them before
you go to eat, in some cases, in a
children's dining room. On the
whole don't expect much help
with the children aboard ship, but
take heart. for you can always
hand them over to daddy and the
maids on your arrival.
Now for bit about Tokyo and
Vicinity. The climate there is
highly comparable to that of
Washington, D. C. The rainy sea-
son begins approximately the first
of March and ends about the
first Of June. If you arrive in
March or April you will still need
wraps.
AS for things to take with you,
lit was my experience that more
dressy Cor cocktail type clothes)
were needed there than here. Shoes
are usually in poor selection in
the PIX. would suggest you take
enough for yourself and the chill
dren to last for a while. Clothing
lis available in the PIX and needs
may also be filled by numerous
dressmakers. Take a couple OF
hats, but don't "stock up" as they
ARE used Sparingly there. Concern
ing household items, the issue
items are very comprehensive
However, II you already have bed
spreads, white ruf1ed type curtains
! or other similar items which you
,Ifeel will make your house more
your own, I'd suggest taking them
Draperies and spreads are fur
nished but were sometimes fairly
drab. One other item I took anc
enjoyed having was my fiat silver
The issue silver plate is quite ade.
quate but it always made me JUS
a little special to have my owr
:. when we entertained.
! I do hope I have been of helr
to you. We were in Japan 2K
years and enjoyed it immensely
Yours should be an even more en-
] Ijoyable stay now that the peace
J treaty is signed.
h ~
PRESERVING GOURDS.
YELLOW TOMATO PRESERVES
! from Mrs. H. j., Stuer Spring. :,
:. Mrs. J. c. NJ. Alexandria: Th
!, Government Printing Office vii
lsend you q booklet on preserving
lgourds. It costs 10 cents.
n Mrs. L. A., Vienna: Here is m
recipe for yellow tomato pre-
serves: One pound yellow pea
tomatoes, pound sugar, 2 ounce
preserved Canton ginger and
lemons. Wipe tomatoes, cove
with boiling water and let stant
until skins may be easily removed
(This will be just few minutes.
Add sugar, cover and let stant
Overnight. In the morning pou
off sirup and boil until thick
Skim. then add tomatoes, ginge
and lemon slices. Cook until to
matoes have a clarified appear
ance. Pour into sterile glasses ant
iseal.