The morning times., 1896-08-23
Doctor whitma n.

lSrufts of corn silk stream from under the
hat or fez which is made from the upper
part of smaller gourd fitted over the
top of the figure. II is painted in gay
colors, but might be dressed as a doll TO
suit the fancy of the maker. The negroes
IN Virginia have gourd bottles constructed
on tn is plan SO as to always preserve an
opposite position to those who drink what
they usually contain, for they will not
stand up unless they are full, or fall over
unless they are empty.
Fig. is a receptacle for yarn or twine,
the gourd of which it is made is sawed
In two and four brass hooks neatly riveted
on, hold the parts together. loop OF faded
ribbonpassed through the upperend by which
tosuspehdi IL andahofe n, the bottom through
which to draw supplies of yarn or twine
IT. contains, completes the cord holder.
Fig. 8 is a large goblet. A bottle gourd of
the proper size and shape has the bottom
sawed off and the section OF another gourd
TO form the foot cenIeIted on the other end,
as shown in the illustration. Fig. is a
fruit basket made Of a section Of a large
gourd with assection Of a smaller fastened
70 ii for a stand. The handle is made OF
hickory, which bends easily, and is riyeted
/ at both ends TO the basket. Fig. shows
an original and graceful form for home
made teapot. The gourd is sawed in two at
the foot of the neck and strip of tin neatly
riyeted on the inside of the edge beyond
which it projects half its width, as at A.
forms a rim over which the cover fits. The
spout is made of cane, strongly braced with
a smaller piece, and the cane handle against
biet,, la.t ba,, ba ie,
is passed through perforation in the gourd
and strongly stepped in the bottom. 1t is
not cemented .or riveted, the closeness of
the fit and, suppose, slight swelling
of the wood when wet serving TO render
it water tighs--, 49,, -.
Fig. is a representation of a martin
box OF so frightfully grotesque appear
ance that it is rather surprising that the
birds do not give it a wide birth instead
of accepting its open-mouthed invitation
ito come therein and build their nests. In
front is fastened a ledge and perches and
hooks or wires for fastening it to sup
port are all that are necessary to make it
a convenient if rather an extraordinary
little home for the birds.
Fig. 10 shows the comparative size
of Il sugar trough gourd and suggests pos
sibilities as to its use After selecting
gourdSbest adapted for the purposes they
are intended to serve and too much care
cannot be exercised in this direc ton they
should be thoroughly dried. In saving
OF cutting them the Instrument used must
he kept sharp, as they are apt to crack
and break about the edges
Articles made of gourds neatly sand
Dapared and yDrujShpd are more than
merely pretty; they are novel and inter
esting. A japanese artist would delight
in enricbing the bright, straw col ored
surfaces, in some cases oddly variegatad
with green. with all sorts of dainty and
ingenious devices. AS a general thing,
painting should, / think. be avoided,
the uncovered beauty of the surface should
he enhanced, but not hidden by the dec
orations. Decalc oniain is cheap and
tawdry, but ornamental tracings with a
heated knitting needle, or the end of an
ice pick thot poker dec corationsD makes
the prettiest effects, though in toilet
articles beautiful, classic outlines cut
out for silhouettes and sprayed over with
color with an atomizer. and then removed,
give very graceful and artistic results.
These. OF course. are cut from prints
pasted on, and after being sprayed are
removed, and the same method can be
used with delicate sprays OF ferns and
grasses. Indeed. in view of the col
lection in my possession. that of which
is here rezdescribed, it is not too much TO
say that a specially which could be made
to add profit to pleasure may easily be
made Of these neglected vegetables.