MARCH 31 ISSUE ANSWERS (photo above): The two china jars are tobacco humidors. To maintain freshness, tobacco needs some humidity. The area in the lids of the container was perforated and had a compartment to hold a slightly damp sponge. It had to be checked often to maintain proper moisture, but could not be so wet that it would drip water onto the tobacco. A small pinch of the ideally moist tobacco would be placed in the bowl of a pipe and enjoyed. These containers are decorative so they could be left out on a table top in the parlor or library and fit in with the rest of the Victorian décor of the home. Gloria Billo, RHS Staff