o
procure a straight edge. For those not having the facilities of a
grinding arrangement a very handy device that will produce a
straight and sharp edge can be easily constructed as follows:

Procure a block of wood, 1-1/2 in. long, 1 in. wide and 1/2 in.
thick, add saw a kerf square with the face of the block, as shown
at A. Attach a piece

[Illustration: A Block of Wood Fitted with a Piece of Emery Cloth
for Sharpening Scissors Correctly]

of fine emery cloth in the kerf, at B, with glue, taking care to
have it flat on the sloping surface only and allowing no part of
the cloth to turn the sharp corner and lie on the back side. Apply
the block to the scissor blade as shown and draw it back and forth
from one end to the other, being careful to keep the back side of
the blade flat against the block. Without being familiar with
scissors grinding, anyone can sharpen them correctly with this
block.
--Contributed by Harriet Kerbaugh, Allentown, Pa.

** Counter Brush for a Shop [419]

A very serviceable brush for use around a shop can be made from a
discarded or worn-out push broom as shown at A. Pull out the
bristles from one-half of the brush and shape the wood of that end
with a knife or

[Illustration: A Discarded Push Broom Shaped to Form a Brush for
the Bench or Counter]

spokes have to the form of a handle, and the brush will be formed
as shown at B.
--Contributed by James T. Gaffney, Chicago.

** A Curtain Roller [419]

Procure a window-shade roller, an umbrella rib and two strips of
oilcloth, each 1 in. wide and 4 in. long. Cut the

[Illustration: The Curtain is Easily Attached to and Detached from
the Roller for Cleaning]

roller off so that it will be 6 in. longer than the distance
across the window, then cut a groove in it to insert the rib. Sew
the pieces of oilcloth so that they will just fit over the ends of
the roller. When this is done lay the curtain across the groove,
then press the rib and curtain into the groove and push the
oilcloth bands over the ends of the rib to keep it in place.
--Contributed by E. L. McFarlane, Nashwaakees, N. B.

** Shade-Holder Bracket for a Gas Jet [419]

An old umbrella rib makes a very effective shade-holder bracket
for a gas jet. The ends of the rib are bent to fit around the
pendant upright and the support end is shaped into a hook. It can
be quickly applied or removed. The outer end is bent into a hook
to

[Illustration: The Bracket for Ho