A Cardboard Writing and Drawing Pad
Manuscripts with Drawings may be Prepared Neatly and Quickly by the Use of This Homemade Writing Pad
Where neatness is desired in the writing of themes, manuscripts, etc., especially if sketches are set into the copy, a homemade writing and drawing pad is useful. The one shown in the sketch can be made easily, and is a handy device for school children as well as older persons. The paper is placed under the guide strips, as shown, and is moved along under the sliding straightedge as desired. Drawing instruments can be used handily along the straightedge, as indicated. The pad is built up as detailed in the sectional views. The general dimensions can be varied. The bottom piece is ¹⁄₈-in. cloth board. The second layer is ¹⁄₃₂ in. thick and of cardboard; the next is ¹⁄₁₆-in. cardboard, and the upper layer is ¹⁄₈-in. cloth board, similar to the straightedge. The latter rests on the projecting guides for the paper, and is set between the shaded sidepieces.—R. S. Edwards, Walla Walla, Wash.
Homemade Shoulder-Pack Tent
By J. D. BOYLAN
After sleeping under various kinds of canvas coverings and not finding any of them entirely to my liking, I made the tent shown in the illustration, which proved quite satisfactory. It is of light weight, easily set up or taken down, and when buttoned closely is practically rain, wind, and bug-proof. The cost of materials necessary for making it is comparatively slight. I use it not only as a sleeping tent but also as a carry-all in packing camping equipment. The canvas is supported by frames made of pliable branches cut in the woods.
Stakes, Rope Braces, and Supporting Poles are Not Required for This Shoulder-Pack Tent, the Supports being Cut at the Camp
The layout for the canvas is shown in the detailed drawings. The sections for the ends are made of three pieces, one for the ground and two, divided vertically, for the end covering. The ground section of the main portion of the tent and the covering are made in one piece, 6 ft. wide, joined at the middle, as shown. The adjoining edges A are sewed together and the edges B, which are set at the ridge of the tent, are sewed, after the other pieces are joined. Brass grommets are fitted in the canvas, as indicated, and the points of the supporting frames pass through them in driving the supports into the ground. The shoulder straps C are placed so that they are in position when the tent is folded, and rolled into a pack. Other equipment may be placed inside of it. The tent supports D are pointed at the ends E, and are twisted together at the top. The ridge pole F steadies them and holds the canvas at the middle.
To set up the tent, lay the canvas flat on the ground and place the supports, twisted together, through the grommets. Spring them into the ends of the canvas, and insert the ridge pole by springing it between the supports. The canvas is 8-oz. duck, and the fastenings used are snap buttons; buttonholes, buckles, or harness snaps may also be used.
Kitchen for Hikers
By PRESTON HELLER
With a view to provide all the needs of a commissary department for 36 boys for a period of four days, either on a hike or in a permanent camp, the kitchen illustrated was constructed. As it is placed on two wheels, which are removed when the kitchen is in use, it can be moved from one day’s camp to another by attaching it to the rear of a horse-drawn wagon by means of a shaft. When the wheels are removed the entire outfit rests on legs, which are swung down from the bottom. The sides and one end are opened by swinging one half up and resting it on the top, while the other half swings down to a horizontal position where it is used as a work board, making all parts easily accessible.
The outside dimensions of the kitchen, when closed and in the form of a large box on wheels, are 5 ft. 3 in. long, 3 ft. wide, and 2¹⁄₂ ft. high. The main feature of this entire kitchen is its compactness. At the front, and extending about 1 ft. back, is a kitchen cabinet where the plates, sugar, salt, flour, etc., are kept in separate compartments. Here also are found the necessary cooking utensils, such as bread knives, butcher knives, cleaver, cooking spoons, pancake turner, sieves, large forks, lemon squeezer, etc.; and on the shelves of galvanized iron small boxes and packages of baking powder, cocoa, etc., are placed. This entire compartment, as well as all others where food is handled and prepared, is lined with No. 28 gauge galvanized iron which makes sanitation a feature also.
Upon passing around to one side there can be seen a large three-shelved oven, 21 in. wide, which is heated by a gasoline burner. Between the burner and the bottom of the oven are located coils of pipe for heating water, and these coils are connected with a tank of 7-gal. capacity, located just above the oven. An air valve and glass gauge are attached to the tank.
The next compartment to the rear is a large storage space, extending all the way through the kitchen, and a 2¹⁄₂-gal. forged-copper gasoline tank occupies a shelf in the upper portion of this space. At the rear end along this side are located nickelplated faucets which are connected with the hot-water tank mentioned; a 7-gal., white enameled milk tank above; an 18-gal. cold-water tank, and an ice-water tank, used when distilled-water ice can be secured. These faucets all drain into a small sink, which, in turn, drains off through an ordinary sink drain to a hole dug in the ground beneath it. Practically the entire rear end of the kitchen is occupied by the large water tanks, ice box, and milk tanks, with the exception of a small space at the bottom where the silverware is kept in a drawer.
On the other side, and to the rear, two compartments above and below the large water tank form excellent storage space for ham, bacon, sausage, preserves, butter, etc., which need to be kept in a cool place. Next in line is the other end of the large storage place which extends through from the other side. Pans, pails, canned goods, larger packages, etc., are kept in this space.
Immediately to the rear of the kitchen cabinet, on this side, are located compartment shelves where the tin cups are kept, and adjoining this is found a three-compartment steam cooker. By having the cups and plates near this steam cooker, which is also heated by a gas burner, there is less danger from rust, as they are kept thoroughly dried. Wherever there is a gasoline burner the compartment in which it is located is not only lined with galvanized iron, but asbestos in sheets is placed on the inner side, so that the heat will not ignite the interior packing or the woodwork. The tanks are accessible from the top of the kitchen for filling and cleaning, and are packed with ground cork.
The kitchen has shown its efficiency by giving satisfactory service in camps of many members.
Hungry Campers Quickly Provided For from the Compact, Easily Transported Kitchen, Shown with Supply Cabinets on Left and Utensil Cupboards on Right
The Kitchen Outfit Compacted into Its Cabinet, Mounted on Wheels and under Transport
The Portable Kitchen Outfit Opened, Exposing the Various Compartments Arranged So as to Be Convenient: Above, Stove and Cooking Compartments; Below, Pantry Compartment and Space for Utensils