When completed place the “board” so that a dark square is in the upper left and lower right corners respectively, and cut open vertically, removing about ¼” from the center two halves. If no space is left, the paper soon cracks in folding; if too little space is left, the edges soon turn and later become ”dog-eared“; if too much is left, it is confusing to the players, as theoretically there should be no space at all. Paste these pieces to each half of the cover, placing them about ¼” apart, and dry flat under weight.
When thoroughly dry, the inner surface should be varnished with shellac or valspar to give stability to the color. Otherwise, it soon becomes rubbed and the appearance, if not the utility, of the board is spoiled. One coat is sufficient to hold the color, but if a polished surface is desired two are needed.
The question of coating the outside with shellac or other polish is an open one, and may be decided to suit the individual taste.
It is sometimes desirable to show that an article is the product of the schoolroom, and in this case a neatly printed label with a space for the pupil’s name, etc., may be pasted to the outside.
If larger boards are desired make the squares one inch in size leaving ¾” margin. The foundation consists of two pieces of newsboard, each 4⅝” × 9½” and the vellum for covering should be 11½” square. The process of assembling is like that used in the small board.
Checkers
I. Dowels. Checkers may be made from dowels ⅝” or ¾” for small checkerboards and ⅞” or 1” for the larger boards. Broom handles, etc., may be used as substitutes for the dowels.
The checkers should be of a uniform thickness, and this is best secured by using a combination mitre-box, saw, and gauge. If this is not available, any other means may be employed to saw the dowels into disks ⅛” or ³⁄₁₆” in thickness.
Lay a piece of sandpaper on a flat surface and rub the checkers on this to remove saw marks. Two grades of sandpaper give a better finish than one.
To play the game, it is necessary that there should be two colors of checkers. Some woods present sufficient difference in their natural colors to serve this purpose, but it is generally better that one set at least should be artificially colored. For this, use stain or ink. Place some of the fluid in a shallow dish, and drop the checkers into it. Remove at once with nippers or two sticks, and lay on a paper to dry.