567. Poultry Perch.—A movable perch, with an erect post and numerous projecting arms. It has the advantage that it can be removed and cleansed.
568. Mole Trap.—One of the greatest pests of the farmer, and the most difficult to catch is the mole. Invent a trap whose upper part shall be somewhat like an old-fashioned hetchel, full of sharp spikes; the under part is a platform, and releases a spring when the mole steps upon it.
569. Seed Sower.—Apply the principle of the revolving nozzle in the lawn sprinkler to a machine for the sowing of seed.
570. Milker and Strainer.—Construct a pail in two parts, the upper part to receive the milk directly from the cow while a strainer separates it from the lower part. Thus the milk can be taken from the barnyard already strained.
571. Paper Milk Can.—In time milk cans will probably be constructed of paper. The saving in cost of transportation would cause every farmer to hail the construction of such an invention.
572. Plant Preserver.—“A German chemist,” says Merck’s Report, “has prepared a fluid that has the power when injected into the tissue of a plant of anesthetizing the plant. The plant does not die, but stops growing, maintaining its fresh, green appearance, though its vitality is apparently suspended. It is also independent of the changes of temperature. The composition of the fluid is shrouded in the greatest secrecy, but as the process is not patented the secret may be discovered and utilized by another investigator.”
Section 14. Money in the Mails and in Writing Materials.
573. The Reversible Package.—There is needed a package or paper box in which legal papers or merchandise sent for approval can be turned inside out and remailed to the sender. Such a device would have a large demand.
574. Copying Paper.—A paper used for duplicating manuscripts would command a ready sale. The carbon paper now employed is very expensive.
575. Word Printing Typewriter.—Some typewriters have as many as fifty keys. A small increase in number would cover the words in common use. Many words can be omitted, and yet the sense be conveyed. Letters or postal cards, consisting of one, two, or three lines could thus be written in one moment.