[Illustration:  Pencil on the Knife Blade]

** A Novel Rat Trap [290]

[Illustration:  Rat Trap]

A boy, while playing in the yard close to a grain house, dug a hole and buried an old-fashioned fruit jug or jar that his mother had thrown away, says the Iowa Homestead.  The top part of the jug was left uncovered as shown in the sketch, and a hole was b r 0 ken in it just above the ground.  The boy then placed some shelled corn in the bottom, put a board on top, and weighted it with a heavy stone.

The jug had been forgotten for several days when a farmer found it, and, wondering what it was, he raised the board and found nine full-grown rats and four, mice in the bottom.  The trap has been in use for some time and is opened every day or two and never fails to have from one to six rats or mice in it.

** A Nut-Cracking Block [290]

[Illustration:  Holes in the Block for Nuts]

In the sketch herewith is shown an appliance for cracking nuts which will prevent many a bruised thumb.  To anyone who has ever tried to crack butternuts it needs no further recommendation.  The device is nothing more than a good block of hardwood with a few holes bored in it to fit the different sized nuts.  There is no need of holding the nut with the fingers, and as hard a blow may be struck as desired.  Make the depth of the hole two-thirds the height of the nut and the broken pieces will not scatter.  —­Contributed by Albert O’Brien, Buffalo, N. Y.

** A Jelly-Making Stand [290]

Every housewife who makes jelly is only too well acquainted with the inconvenience and danger of upsets when using the old method of balancing a

[Illustration:  Cheesecloth Strainer on Stand]

jelly-bag on a couple of chairs stood on the kitchen table, with the additional inconvenience of having a couple of chairs on the kitchen table out of commission for such a length of time.

The accompanying sketch shows how a stand can be made from a few pieces of boards that will help jelly makers and prevent the old-time dangers and disadvantages.  The stand can be stood in the corner of the kitchen, or under the kitchen table where it will be out of danger of being upset.  —­Contributed by Lyndwode, Pereira, Ottawa, Can.

** How to Make an Egg-Beater [291]

There is no reason why any cook or housewife should be without this eggbeater, as it can be made quickly in any size.  All that is needed is an ordinary can with a tight-fitting cover-a baking-powder can will do.  Cut a round piece of wood 3 in. longer than the length of the can.  Cut a neat hole in the cover of the can to allow the stick to pass through, and at one end of the stick fasten, by means of a flatheaded tack, a piece of tin, cut round, through which several holes have been punched.  Secure another piece of heavier tin of the same size, and make

[Illustration:  Made Like a Churn]