A thick piece of tin, 6-1/4 by 9-3/4 in., was marked out as shown, the pattern being cut on the full lines and bent on the dotted ones.  The strip for the handle was riveted to the end of the scoop.  —­Contributed by Geo. B. Wright, Middletown, Conn.

** Removing Grease Stains from the Leaves of a Book [230]

Happening to get a grease spot on a page of a valuable book, I found a way to remove it without injury to the paper, which has been tried out several times with success.

Heat an iron and hold it as near as possible to the stain without discoloring the paper, and the grease will disappear.  If any traces of the grease are left, apply powdered calcined magnesia.  Bone, well calcined and powdered, and plaster of Paris are also excellent absorbents of grease.

A beautifully bound book, and quite new, had oil from a lamp spilled over it.  There was no quicklime to be had, so some bones were quickly calcined, pulverized and applied.  The next morning there was no trace of oil, but only an odor which soon vanished.  —­Contributed by Paul Keller, Indianapolis, Ind.

** Tightening Cane in Furniture [230]

Split cane, used as part of furniture, such as chair seats, often becomes loose and the threads of cane pull out.  This can be prevented by sponging with hot water, or by applying steaming cloths to the cane.  This process also tightens the shreds of cane and does not injure ordinary furniture.  If the article is highly polished, care should be taken to prevent the hot water from coming in contact with anything but the cane.

** Cleaner for a Stovepipe [230]

A long horizontal pipe for a stove soon fills with soot and must be cleaned.  The usual method is to beat the pipe after taking it down to be cleaned, but a much better device for the purpose is shown in the sketch.

A scrub brush is procured and cut in two, the parts being hinged to a crosspiece fastened to a long broom handle.  The brushes are pressed outward

[Illustration:  Stovepipe Brush]

against the inside surfaces of the pipe with a wire and spring, as shown.  —­Contributed by C. L. Herbert, Chicago, Illinois.

** Mounting Photo Prints on Glass [231]

Photograph prints can be mounted on glass with an adhesive made by soaking 1 oz. of sheet gelatine in cold water to saturation, then dissolving in 3-1/2 oz. of boiling water.  Let the solution cool to about 110 deg.  F., then immerse the print in it and squeegee, face down, on a clear piece of glass.  When dry, take a damp cloth or soft sponge and wipe off any surplus gelatine on the glass.

** Dropping Coins in a Glass Full of Water [231]

Take a glass and fill it to the brim with water, taking care that the surface of the water is raised a little above the edge of the glass, but not running over.  Place a number of nickels or dimes on the table near the glass and ask your spectators how many coins can be put into the water without making it overflow.  No doubt the reply will be that the water will run over before two coins are dropped in.  But it is possible to put in ten or twelve of them.  With a great deal of care the coins may be made to fall without disturbing the water, the surface of which will become more and more convex before the water overflows.