Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial321dodg).pdf/84
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
50
THE PRACTICAL BOY.
[Nov.
XI. A Settle.
A comfortable settle for the piazza or yard can be made from pine, whitewood, cypress, or other wood that is at hand and easy to work.
A Coal and Wood Box. It is fifty-four inches long, eighteen inches wide, and the seat is eighteen inches above the ground. The sides are made from strips three inches wide and seven eighths of an inch thick, as shown in A of Fig. 18. The arms are twenty inches long, six inches broad at the front, and cut the shape of B in Fig. 18. The notches or laps cut in the rear posts are to let in the strips forming the back and lower brace to the settle. The joints should be made with screws rather than nails, as they hold better and do not work loose, Small brackets support the arms at the front corner posts, and an upright batten at the middle strengthens the back of the settle. A close inspection of the drawing will show the joints clearly and also show how the frame is put together. A few coats of paint will finish the wood nicely, or it may be stained and varnished if the wood has a pretty grain. Cushions and a sofa-pillow or two will add to the comfort of this commodious seat, which is a most useful piece of furniture at any time.
XII. Coal and Wood Box.
A combination box for coal and wood can be made from an ordinary box with the sides and one end cut down, as shown in the illustration; but a more serviceable one is made from boards seven eighths of an inch thick, planed on both sides, and the joints securely glued and screwed. The sides are twenty-six inches long and twelve inches high at the back, but at the front they are only four inches high, A back piece ten inches wide and twelve inches high is cut and fastened in place, and a front strip four inches high is also made fast with glue and long slim screws. A division board is placed in the middle of the box where the vertical line of screw-heads is shown, and a bottom ten by twenty-four inches is held in place with screws passed through the lower edge of the front, back, and sides, and into the edges of the bottom. A lid the width of the box is hinged to a cross-strip over the partition, and a handle at the lower end will make it easy to lift the lid, or the lid can be made to project an inch in front and so do away with the handle. Under the corners, blocks with the corners rounded off will act as feet, so as to raise the bottom of the box an inch or two from the floor. Thin
A Plant-box on the piazza rail.
stain and two coats of varnish will finish the woodwork on the outside, but on the inside a coat or two of asphaltum varnish will give it the best finish. Sticks of wood or kindling may be kept in the square receptacle, while under the lid can be kept at least two bucketfuls of coal. If the fuel-holder is used only at the open fire, logs may be stood on end in the square box, and kindlings may be kept in the covered half.
XIII. A Plant-box.
For growing plants and flowers, a plant-box for the piazza rail can be made and arranged
