Most persons know what a difficult job it is to crack hickory nuts, unless provided with a suitable hammer, or other tool, for the purpose. When nut hunting, such tools are usually not at hand, and a method used by an old backwoodsman will be of interest. First he cut a hickory limb, about 2 in. thick and 3 ft. long. In the center of the limb, he cut a square notch, about halfway through, and just large enough to admit a nut. Then placing one end of the limb on the ground, the other end held in the left hand, he placed a nut in the notch, and bent the limb slightly. This brought the edges of the notch closer together, and cracked the nut neatly.—C. M. Vaiden, Portland, Ore.
Handy Tool for Tightening Wire Spokes in Wheels
The wire spokes in bicycle and similar wheels often become loose, and a small pocket device for tightening them on the road is handy. A satisfactory one can be made quickly from a washer, 2 in. in diameter, cut as shown. A tapering slot is cut to the center of the washer to engage the nipples of various-sized spokes. The outer circumference of the washer is filed with a triangular file to provide a good finger grip.—H. E. Randell, Boston, Mass.
Bottle Economizes Spray Liquid in Atomizer
Atomizers are sometimes provided with delivery tubes the lower ends of which are ¹⁄₄ in. or more above the bottom of the reservoir, thus rendering useless considerable of the spraying liquid. To overcome this waste, in the case of expensive sprays, a small homeopathic vial was filled with the liquid from the bottom of the reservoir, and lowered into the bottle, as shown. The delivery tube of the atomizer was set into the vial, and the cap screwed on. By this means almost every drop of the spraying fluid was utilized.—Carl L. Hartshorn, West Haven, Conn.
A Small Rotary Pump Easily Made
The Rotating Spools Press against the Water Hose and Force the Water from It at Increased Pressure