Don't pee in the water!

The old galvanized wash tub was and is an essential must have for the poor. As a child my wife's family used these tubs for everything from apple bobbing to washing. To receive this item as a gift after a bailing was considered thoughtful especially if it had been handed down from the brides family. 

Now my raise'n was not well to do but there was always a pot of brown beans and cup of coffee at your beckoning around my family home. Even now I can sit a spell with my Aunt and Uncle for coffee and fried bread, but for some families it was coffee then you'd eat when they did. Carol grew up as poor as Job's shoe. Where running water was you running to fetch water from the spring which was then heated on the pot bellied stove. Bathing was usually done in the kitchen more of a communal type thing for girls. Bathing was done from the cleanest to the dirtiest usually that meant the smallest to the dad. The tub was the perfect size for a bushel of anything and could be used for cleaning beans and tomatoes, canning and water bath canning. Yes there is actually several types of canning and the tub could be used in all but 2, pressure canning( which is self explanatory) and cold packing (when acidic foods are pre cooked and then canned). Life in the hills can be hard and unforgiving. Everything must have multiple uses. These tubs worked great for soaking walnut halves for stain, bobbing for apples and even a musical instrument, but don't let mom catch you drilling a hole in her good tub for a bass. Carol's grandmother gave us this one when we first got married and we use it at least once or twice a year. No I don't bath in it nor would I, I'm too citified for that.