Boys at a Summer Camp Construct a Diving Tower Each Summer and Dispose of It for the Cost of the Lumber When They Break Camp. The Tower is Built Largely of Two by Four-Inch Stock and is Weighted with a Box of Stone. At the Right Is a Reproduction of a Photograph Showing the Builders Putting Their Diving Tower to Use
The tower is built largely of 2 by 4-in. stock. The longer pieces at the corners are 12 ft. in length, slanted so that the lower end of the tower is 7 ft. square and the platform at the top 3 ft. square. The handrail at the top is fixed to extensions of the rear uprights. A spring board is fastened on two horizontal braces near the middle of the tower, and is reached by the ladder. The structure is built on the shore and towed out to its position. It is sunk and weighted by the box of stone supported on cross braces.—Contributed by F. D. Lewis.
Gas Mantles Made at Home
I spent several interesting hours in experimenting with gas mantles which I made at home, and the process should be of interest to others. While I did not succeed in making mantles of the quality of the commercial article, they were nevertheless successful and gave light. Magnesium produces a white light when ignited. By using common Epsom salts, which contain magnesium sulphate, I made a strong solution in distilled water. I soaked a piece of gauze bandage in the solution, dried it carefully and soaked it again a number of times, drying it after each immersion. By this time the cloth was stiff with the dry salt. When held in a flame, the cloth catches fire and burns out, leaving the skeleton of magnesium sulphate. This framework, when held in the flame, glows with an intense white light. I shaped a piece of the gauze like a commercial mantle and dipped it into the solution as explained. It proved quite satisfactory.—Contributed by Victor E. Carpenter, South Bend, Ind.
Whistle Warns of Fish Catch
When the Fish Strikes the Bait the Water is Forced Up into the Whistle Suddenly, and the Escaping Air Warns the Fisherman
A toy railroad wheel, a piece of hollow cane, and pieces of wire are the materials necessary for making the whistle shown in the illustration, which warns a fisherman that a fish is attempting to make away with his bait. The wheel is fitted into the end of the cane and wedged into place to form a tight joint. The wires are formed into loops at the ends of the cane and fixed to it. The whistle is attached to the fishline, as shown, with the open end down and slightly below the surface of the water. The fishpole may be fixed so that the whistle will remain in this position while the fisherman is at ease in the shade near by. When the fish attempts to make away with the bait, as shown in the sketch, the water forces the air in the upper part of the cane out through the center hole of the wheel, and a whistling sound is the result.
Anchor for a Canoe or Small Boat
Small craft, particularly those used for fishing or on streams where a current is encountered, should be provided with an anchor. The illustration gives details for making one that is simple in construction and inexpensive. It weighs about five pounds, and is heavy enough for light craft up to 18 ft. long.