ts, always with
entire satisfaction.
--Contributed by Irl R. Hicks.

** How to Make a Life Buoy [432]

Any boy may be able to make, for himself or friends, a life buoy
for emergency use in a rowboat or for learning to swim. Purchase
1-3/4 yd. of 30-in. canvas and cut two circular pieces, 30 in. in
diameter, also cutting a round hole in the center of them, 14 in.
in diameter. These two pieces are sewed together on the outer and
inner edges, leaving a space, about 12 in. in length, open on the
outer seam. Secure some of the cork used in packing Malaga grapes
from a grocery or confectionery store and pack it into the pocket
formed between the seams through the hole left in the outer edge.
When packed full and tight sew up the remaining space in the seam.
Paint the outside surface and the seams well with white paint to
make it water-tight.
--Contributed by Will Hare, Petrolea, Onto

[Illustration: Buoy]

** A Home-Made Microscope [433]

A great many times we would like to examine a seed, an insect or
the fiber of a piece of wood but have no magnifier handy. A very
good microscope may be made out of the bulb of a broken
thermometer. Empty out the mercury, which is easily done by
holding the bulb with the stem down over a lamp or candle. A
spirit lamp is the best, as it makes no smoke and gives a steady
heat. Warm the bulb slowly and the mercury will be expelled and
may be caught in a tea cup. Do not heat too fast, or the pressure
of the mercury vapor may burst the glass bulb, cautions the
Woodworkers' Review. To fill the bulb with water warm it and
immerse the end of the tube in the water. Then allow it to cool
and the pressure of the air will force the water into the bulb.
Then boil the water gently, holding the bulb with the stem up;
this will drive out all the air, and by turning the stem or tube
down and placing the end in water the bulb will be completely
filled. It is surprising how much can be seen by means of such a
simple apparatus.

[Illustration: Making a Microscope]

** A Novel Electric Time Alarm [433]

All time alarms run by clockwork must be wound and set each time.
The accompanying diagram shows how to make the connection that
will ring a bell by electric current at the time set without
winding the alarm. The bell is removed from an ordinary alarm

[Illustration: Electric Time Alarm]

clock and a small metal strip attached, as shown at B. An
insulated connection is fastened on the