[Illustration:  This looks like a pretentious piece of woodwork for a lad to make.  George did not think so.  The construction is simple.  Note the good lines.]

To construct the stool make with the two 8-1/2 x 1-3/4 x 7/8 in. pieces the lower braces, a lap joint.  Find the mid-line of each piece by measuring 4-1/4 in. from the ends.  From this line lay off two other lines parallel to it and at a distance of 7/8 in. to the right and left.  This makes a 1-3/4 in. square in the centre of each piece.  Now transfer these lines down the edges of the lower brace pieces.  Saw on the inside of the lines down one-half the thickness or saw and chisel down to one-half.  It is necessary to saw on the inside of the lines or a loose joint will result.  The joint must be exactly in the middle and all arms must be equal in length when completed.  Brads or finishing nails should be used to hold the joint in place.  This lower brace is 7 in. up from the floor or bottom of the stool.  In the picture the screws, which hold the brace, show plainly.

Now lay off an octagon, with a diameter of 8-1/2 in. on the 8-1/2 x 8-1/2 x 7/8 in. piece, sawing off the corner pieces so as to just fit the leg.  Glue and screw this to the under sides of the top piece, placing the grain across that of the top wood.  Warping is thus prevented.  This brace acts as a support to which the upper ends of the legs are firmly screwed and glued.  A 3/16 in. gimlet hole should be bored for each screw or the wood will split.  The holes should not be deeper than 1-1/2 in. if the screws are to hold firmly.  Try drawing the screws across a cake of soap and see if they will not be applied more easily.

To be sure that the legs go on exactly rigid it would be well to draw lines diagonally through the centre of the under surface of the top piece.  The legs are to be attached at right angles to these diagonals.  After the legs are screwed to the upper and lower braces sandpaper the entire stool.  Do this lengthwise to the grain, never across.  Then stain and wax.

VI

WHAT THE GIRLS MADE WINTER EVENINGS

While the boys were making their pieces of garden apparatus the girls were at work also.  They met with The Chief at Katharine’s house and made a number of pieces of garden apparatus.  The directions for making these are given so that other children may make some too.

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SEED ENVELOPES

Cut paper 7-1/2 in. by 5-3/4 in.; place it the long way of the paper going from front to back of the desk or table at which you work.

Measure from the upper left corner down 1-3/4 in., and place point 1; 3-1/4 in. farther down place point 2.  Measure from the upper right corner down 1-3/4 in. and place point 3; 3-1/4 in. farther down place point 4.

Measure from the upper left corner toward the right 1-1/4 in. and place point 5; 3-3/4 in. farther toward the right place point 6.  Measure from the lower left corner toward the right 1-1/4 in., and place point 7; 3-3/4 in. farther toward the right place point 8.