The farm cook & rule book

with curtains of canvas or heavy iinbleached muslin. A bucket holding 4 gallons of water is needed to hold the water. A hole is cut in the bottom of this and a piece of pipe 4 inches long is soldered in this opening. Rubber tubing 4 to 6 feet long is attached to this pipe and a shower head, which may be purchased for fifteen cents, or a sprinkler from a watering can, is fastened into the end of the tube. The bucket is raised and lowered by the use of a pulley and rope fastened with a staple to a joist in the ceiling. The end of the rope is looped over a hook in the wall. A clothespin makes a good stop-cock for the tubing. About 21/2 gallons of water are required for the shower. The person stands in a tub placed under the shower. One or two coats of white enamel make the outfit more attractive. Making an Ironing Board Cover A cover for the ironing board which is easily adjusted is made in the following way: hem unbleached muslin of the required length and width, allowing a turn of 4 inches on the sides. Make 8 buttonholes, 4 in each side. Then use 8 strong safety pins fastened through these holes and to 4 pieces of narrow elastic. Six inch lengths of elastic are satisfactory. This ironing board cover does not wrinkle as long as the elastic is good. Sewing l^chines Sewing machines operated by electric motors are a great convenience in homes where electricity is available. All machines prove to their operators that good care pays. The use of good machine oil wherever there is friction is essential. If a poor grade of oil has been applied by mistake, it can be removed by the use of kerosene. Oil the machine with kerosene. Wipe off the surplus oil that forms when the machine is run a few minutes with the needle unthreaded. Then apply good oil. If the machine needle is dull, it may be sharpened for tem- porary use by stitching a few inches through fine sandpaper. To keep the needle from unthreading when cloth is removed, raise it up to the highest point before taking out the cloth. When the cloth puckers, it is a sign that the tension is too LABOE-SAYING DEVICES 267 tight or that there is not enough pressure on the pressure foot. Very thin materials frequently need to have a layer of paper under them when being stitched. Skipped stitches are usually the result of a bent needle, an incorrectly set needle or the use of too coarse thread. The needle will last longer if the thread is pulled backward under the pressure foot when cloth is removed. Pulling the thread forward frequently bends the needle. Baby's Summer Nest A convenient bed for the small baby may be made from wood and screen. The right dimensions for such a crib are 4 feet or more long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The frame is of wood and the sides and top are covered with screen. Either screen or canvas may be used for the bottom. The top is fastened on with hinges and casters under the legs make it easier to move the little bed. A mattress will make the nest soft. Baby will not only find protection from flies in this little bed, but since he can- not get out, he also is made safe from other dangers. If the wooden frame is painted and enameled white, the crib is much more attractive. The Kitchen Stool