Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-28
Work for Rainy Days.

WORK Tor Rainy Days.
Rainy days give the farmers time to
read, or time to do things that they
never would have time TO do if it did
not rain. If you have a carriage or any
farming implement that needs painting
or overhauling; then is a good time to
do it. Every year farmers should see
that all farming tools are in propertrim
for use. Do not wait until the time
comes to use the implement, but see
that it is in perfect order before needed.
See that all the nuts are tight on your
implements. If tools need il, paint
them; if they need sharpening, do that.
Hyou intend to make a fence, or build
ing, a rainy day is a good time to get
out. the material. If you need any farm
implement, such as q garden roller or
any little implement, it is a good time
o make it. Farmers with a little prac-
tice and q great deal of patience can
make a great many useful things for the
farm.
A good way to make a garden roller
is TO cut two round pieces out of a two
inch plank. of the size you want your
roller. Then get a round iron rod, run
it through the center of these round
pieces. Next, nail strips two or three
inches wide on the round pieces. Leave
one strip off. get some cement and mix;
ill the roller with small stones and put
in the cement. Then nail ON the last
strip. Have the iron rod long enough
to project out on each end of The roller,
and attach the frame to tho rod. The
cement will harden, and you will have
n everlasting roller. A large roller
could be made in the same way, only
the frame would have to be made diff
ferent.
If the carriage needs painting, wash
it clean. Buy plenty Of sand paper
and smooth off the wheels. Get off all
the old paint you can, using coarse
sand paper first; then fine, and finish
with emery cloth. See that each wheel
is smooth; then do the body in the
same way, first rubbing it down with
pumice stone. Carriage painters burn
the paint off, but you had better not
attempt it, for you might spoil it. Do
not take all the paint of, but leave the
first coat. Buy a can of extra ivory
drop black, one pint of %turpentine, one
of boiled linseed soil and one quart of
varnish-coach varnish is best. Take
any empty can and put in some of the
drop black and enough turpentione to
thin it to the right consistency. Paint
the wheels first, then the body and rest
Of it. Let it dry, and when dry rub
down with fine pumice stone. Then
put on another coat of paint; after it is,
dry rub down ono more with powdered
pumice stone, then put on two coats of
varnish. Use fine brushes, and when
painting keep the brush straight, and
do not bear on too hard, or your work
will be streaked.
For the top take drop blacks and equal
parts of turpentine, boiled oil and var
nish; apply with a brush. 1t will make
the top look new, and it will last much
longer. This coating will also improve
old harness. For the cushions, if feath-
er, get a pint a of ready mixed paint
of such color as desired, and after you
have painted them, and they are dry,
give them a coat Of varnish. If they
are cloth, sponge them off with warm
water and soap. If you wish to have a
gold band around the hubs, get a bottle
Of prepared gold bronze, and after APP
plying it varnish the whole-band. Car
riages and spring wagons should be
washed often; it makes them wear
longer and look more attractive. All
nuts should be frightened every six
months, and when you wash a vehicle,
throw plenty of water on it, and give
the dirt a good soaking before COM
mencing to use the sponge. After you
have done this, use the sponge, being
sure that you have a good one. Wipe
dry with a chamois.
On rainy days you can also post up
your books. if you keep any. Every
farmer should keep books, and know
just how much he is making on the
farm, or whether he is losing money.
Very few farmers can tell how much
they are making. A simple contrivance
for shutting gates is made by arrang-
ing a couple Of pulleys, with a small
rope attached to the gate, running over
the pulleys; then a weight will shut the
gate. Oil the spindle to make the pull
ley turn easily. On rainy days help
your children make windmills, bows
and arrows, or kites. Give your chill
dren all such things, and when older
they will not care for them, butfor more
useful things, and will love you
for the little kindness you show them
when young.-Cor. Country Gentleman.
AT Austin, Tex, in excavating in
the Colorado River for the water-works,
the workmen brought up a spur of curl
o,,s workmanship and of evident Span.