. The large and rounding part
of the leg makes the bowl of the ladle. This ladle will be found
convenient for melting babbitt or lead.
--Contributed by R. H. Workman, Loudonville, Ohio.

[Illustration: Babbitt Ladle]

** How to Make Japanese Portieres [265]

These very useful and ornamental draperies can be easily made at
home by anyone possessing a little ingenuity. They can be made of
various materials, the most durable being bamboo, although beads
of glass or rolled paper will produce good results. Substances
such as straw, while readily adaptable

[Illustration: Bamboo and Straw Portieres]

and having a neat appearance, are less durable and will quickly
show wear. The paper beads are easily made as shown in Figs. 1, 2
and 3. In Figs. 1 and 2 are shown how the paper is cut tapering,
and as it appears after rolling and gluing down the ends. A
straight paper bead is shown in Fig. B.

The first step is to select the kind of beads desired for
stringing and then procure the hanging cord. Be sure to get a cord
of such size that the beads will slip on readily and yet have the
least possible lateral movement. This is important to secure
neatness. One end of each cord is tied to a round piece of wood,
or in holes punched in a leather strap. Iron or brass rings can be
used if desired.

Cut all the cords the same length, making allowance for the number
of knots necessary to produce the design selected. Some designs
require only one knot at the bottom. It is best to make a rough
sketch of the design on paper. This will greatly aid the maker in
carrying on the work.

When the main part of the screen is finished, the cross cords,
used for spacing and binding the whole together, are put in place.
This is done with a needle made from a piece of small wire, as
shown in Fig. 4. The cross cords are woven in as shown in Fig. 5.
As many of these cross cords can be put in as desired, and if
placed from 6 to 12 in. apart, a solid screen will be made instead
of a portiere. The twisted cross cords should be of such material,
and put through in such manner that they will not be readily seen.
If paper beads are used they can be colored to suit and hardened
by varnishing. The first design shown is for using bamboo. The
cords are knotted to hold the bamboo pieces in place. The finished
portiere will resemble drawn work in cloth. Many beautiful
hangings can be easily fashioned.

The second design is to be constructed with a plai