A third method is to secure a piece of sheep or goat skin, trace the design on the reverse side by means of carbon paper, and put the outline and design in with brush and stains such as are sold for this purpose.

The accompanying pattern shows but one-fourth of the mat.  Draw the one-fourth on paper to the size desired and then fold on lines A and B, tracing this one-fourth on the other parts by the insertion of double-surfaced carbon paper.

On the calfskin the pattern is to be held on the leather and the tool worked over the pattern to get the outline transferred.  After this the pattern is to be removed and the leather modeled.

** Sad Iron Polisher [286]

A small amount of wax is necessary on an iron for successful work.  The wax is usually applied by hand to the heated surface of the iron.  A much better and handier way is to bore five or six holes in one end of the ironing board to a depth of half

[Illustration:  Polisher]

its thickness, filling them with wax, beeswax or paraffin, and covering them over with two thicknesses of muslin.

The rubbing of the hot iron over this cloth absorbs just enough of the wax to make the iron work smoothly.  When the supply of wax is exhausted, it can be easily renewed.  —­Contributed by A. A. Houghton, Northville, Mich.

** Making Coins Stick to Wood by Vacuum [287]

Take a quarter and place it flat against a vertical surface of wood such

[Illustration:  Floating Coin]

as the side of a bookcase, door facing or door panel, and strike it hard with a downward sliding motion, pressing it against the wood.  Take the hand away and the coin will remain on the woodwork.  The striking and pressure expel the air between the quarter and the wood, thus forming a vacuum sufficient to hold the coin.

** Simple and Safe Method for Sending Coins by Mail [287]

Sending coins by mail is not as a rule advisable, but sometimes it

[Illustration:  How the Paper is Folded]

becomes necessary, and usually a regular coin mailer is not available.  A very simple and secure way to wrap a coin or coins for mailing is as follows:  Procure a piece of heavy paper, nearly as wide as the envelope is long, and about 12 in. long.  Fold on the dotted lines shown by A and B in the sketch, and slip the coin in the pocket thus formed.  Fold together on lines C, D, E and F, making the last two folds wide enough to fit snugly in the envelope.  This method holds the coin in the center of the envelope where it cannot work around and cut through the edges.  —­Contributed by O. J. Thompson, Petersburg, Ill.

** Mounting Photographs in Plaster Plaques [287]

Purchase a few pounds of plaster of paris from your local druggist and select a dish of the desired shape in which to make your cast.  The size of the dish will depend on the size of the print to be mounted.  Select the print you wish to mount, those on matte paper will work best, and after wetting, place it face down in the dish, press into place and remove all drops of water with a soft cloth.  Be sure and have the print in the center of the dish.  Earthen dishes will be found more convenient, although tin ones can be used with good success, says Photographic Times.