The end of the slide nearest the water may be given a slight upward turn, so that when the toboggan leaves it the rider is carried upward before striking the water. The hold on the toboggan should be retained when entering the water, as injury may result by failure to clear it in the plunge. With experience a dive may be made as the toboggan leaves the slide.
The construction of the slide is shown in detail in the lower sketch. The framework of 2 by 4-in. material should be only slightly wider than the guides, and the supports should be spread toward the ground to give rigidity. The supports A should be nailed firmly, or bolted, to the horizontal members B. If lighter stock is used, the pieces at B should be nailed in pairs, one on each side of the uprights. The guides C and D should be of smooth lumber, and the edges of these pieces, as well as of the bearing plank E, should be rounded off to remove splinters. The joints in the sections of the guides should be made carefully and placed over the framework supports. They should be reinforced from the lower side by plates of wood.
The bearing plank E is of 2-in. stock and 12 in. wide. It may be made of lighter material in a smaller slide. The joints in it should likewise be made carefully, to insure smooth riding over them. They should be set directly over the framework supports, but not on those over which joints have been made in the guides. The plank forming the bearing for the roller should not extend to the end of the slide at the lower end, but should be set back about 18 in. This permits the toboggan to slide off smoothly rather than to spring directly into the air from the bearing on the rollers. The bearing plank may be nailed into place, but care must be taken to set all nails below the surface. A better construction is to use screws or bolts. Bore holes for them through the plank, countersinking their heads.
The toboggan, as shown in the detail sketches, is built strongly, and is to be fitted over the 12-in. bearing plank, allowing ¹⁄₄-in. play on each side. The sides are of 1¹⁄₄-in. stock and high enough to accommodate the rollers, which should be about 3 in. in diameter. The dimensions of 15 in. in width and 30 in. in length, on the top surface, are suggestive only, and will vary with the materials used. The toboggan will not stand the necessarily hard wear unless good-quality oak, or other hard wood, is used. The top and foot brace should be fixed strongly with screws, their heads countersunk.
The rollers are fixed in the sides by means of screws, or a bolt may be set through the length of the roller. In either case the bearing should be in holes bored through the sidepieces. Washers should be fitted at the sides of the bearings, and the latter must be kept greased. All the edges and corners of the toboggan should be rounded off so that there is little possibility of injury from slivers or contact with the edges.
Tile Trap for Rabbits
By Closing the Smaller Opening, the Rabbit may be Trapped and Removed at the Cover
Rabbits may be trapped in order to rid grounds of them, or for food purposes, by the use of the tile trap shown in the illustration. A tee, having a smaller opening of 6 in., is set in the ground with the large end projecting. Rocks are placed around it and it is provided with a cover. Several extensions are attached to the 6-in. opening and the end permitted to project slightly from the ground. Rocks are also placed about this opening. The rabbit enters the trap at the small opening and is free to come and go from the burrow. By closing the small opening, the quarry may be taken out at the large opening.
¶Vaseline is a good cleaner for commutators while machines are in operation and under load.