Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 136, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1916 — HANDICRAFT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HANDICRAFT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

By A. NEELY HALL and DOROTHY PERKINS

(Copyright, by A. Neely Hall.)

A SWINGING SEAT FOR THE PORCH. Any boy can make the substantial swinging porch-seat shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 2 shows the completed framework, and Figs. 3 and 4 details of the end frames. The frames must be absolutely rigid, and their parts very securely nailed together, else the seat will soon rack to pieces. You will

see by Figs. 3 and 4 that uprights A and B are notched to receive the horizontal pieces C and D. Make pieces A, B and C of 2-by-4-inch material, and Dos a l-by-4-inch board. The notches in upright B can be cut square across the piece, but those in A must be cut obliquely to allow for the slant of the seat back (Fig. 4). Fig. 3 shows the necessary measurements for cutting and assembling the parts. First lay uprights A and B upon the floor with their ends at the distances apart specified on the diagram. Then place C and D across them, and mark the positions for the notches. Cut the end notches in A and B with a saw, and the center notch in A with a saw and chisel. Be careful to make the notches no wider or deeper thannecessary, so the joints will be snug and flush. Before nailing the crosspieces in place, cut one end of each to fit the slant of upright A; also mark and cut off the

ends of upright A and bevel the top edge as shown: Crosspiece E is a l-by-4-inch board of the length of C, and is nailed to the edges of A and B as a support for the seat boards. After the pair of end frames have been nailed together, connect them with the one by four inch boards F and H (Fig. 2). The length for these will be determined by whatever length you have decided to make your porch seat. Nail boards F to the framework, first; then nail the top board H to uprights A, and afterward the other three boards H. Crosspiece G is the size of piece E, and is fastened halfway between the ends to support the seat boards at the center. Fig. 1 shows how the seat boards are fitted around the uprights, and nailed to the framework members Buy Books and chains at a hardware store for supporting the porch seat. Get very long hooks like those

shown in Fig. 5, with long screws that will screw at least 3 inches into the seat uprights- and poreh ceiling rafters; and select heavy iron chains. Fig. 1 Bhows how to Join each pair of end chains several feet above the seat arms so but a single end chain will connect with each of the two ceiling hooks. When you . have completed the carpenter work on the porch seat, sandpaper all rough portions, putty nail holes and Joints, and give the woodwork two good coats of paint.

HOME UTILITY BOXES. Any strong cardboard box may be used. The one for the model was 10 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 3 Inches deep, but of course the proportions may be that of whatever box you find. Fig. 2 shows the box partitioned off into 12 compartments, providing re-

ceptacles for lightweight and heavy wrapping twine, shipping tags, gummed labels, rubber bands, paper clips and brass fasteners, tacks and pushpins, passepartout paper, tubes of library paste and glue, bottle of ink, and picture wire and hooks. Fig. 4 shows how to cut the cardboard strips which partition ofT the compartments. You will notice that the upper edge of the long strips (A) are notched from the top edge down to the center, and that the short strips

which cross them (B) are notched from the! bottom edge to the center. The positions for these notches must be located carefully so as to come at the exact intersections of the partitions, and they must be cut of the right width for the crossing partitions to slip into. By examining the illustrations you will understand how the partitions interlock. Fasten the strips with pins pushed through the sides of the bo? into their ends (rtg. 3). The back edge of the cover rim must be separated from the rest of the rim at the corners (Fig. 6), and be glued to the back of the box, for a hinge. Then a strip of linen must

be glued to the outside of this rim strip, and be lapped over the cover, to re-enforce the hinge. By covering the outside of the box with cretonne you will greatly improve its appearance. Glue the cretonne to the cardboard. A string box to keep near the supply of wrapping paper is a handy article to have in the house. Fig. 6 and 7 show a box made for three balls, one of heavy wrapping twine, one of lightweight cotton twine, and one of red, blue or other color twine. You ean use a large candy box. Fasten the cardboard partitions between the sides with pins. The rim of the box cover-may be left on it, or may be removed in Fig. 6. , Puneh holes through the cover for the ends of the twine to run through. The outside of the box be covered with cretonne to give it a trim appearance,