ng in his favor, he determined
to make the trial then and there.

He was in the water fifteen and a half hours, and swam steadily all the
time at the rate of about a mile and a half an hour.

Swimmers will be interested to know that McNally used the breast stroke
continually, only occasionally changing to a side stroke for relief.

He never swam on his back. He says that this method of swimming
interferes with the muscles, and gets them out of condition for resuming
the breast stroke.

Swimmers as a rule seek rest and relief by turning on their backs, so
the opinion of an expert on such a subject is well worth having.

Apart from the interest we all feel in great feats of strength and
endurance, such an attempt as that made by McNally is valuable to us, as
it shows us the length of time it is possible for a swimmer to remain in
the water without becoming exhausted.

Swimming is an accomplishment that every boy and girl should acquire,
and the knowledge that if a swimmer keeps cool, and has his wits about
him, he can remain in the water for a considerable period without danger
of drowning, should be taken to heart by every lad and lass who
contemplates boating as a part of the summer's enjoyment.

G.H. ROSENFELD.

INVENTION AND DISCOVERY

FRUIT-PICKER.--Fruit-picking is such an easy matter for boys that I
think it is the girls who will chiefly appreciate this contrivance. It
too often happens that there will be a very tall tree with fruit well
out of reach, and a girl at the foot of it who is not an expert climber.
Her mouth need no longer water in vain. This fruit-picker is very
ingenious. It consists of scoop-shaped jaws worked by cords and springs,
and mounted on a pole of suitable length. Attached to the jaws is a
long, funnel-shaped bag, which receives the fruit and allows it to drop
without injury right into the fruit-picker's hands.

[Illustration: Fruit Picker]

[Illustration: Safety-Brake]

SAFETY-BRAKE FOR CHILDREN'S CARRIAGES.--So many accidents occur with
baby-carriages that this ought to be a great comfort to mothers, and a
great help to the "little mothers" who mind the babies. Children's
carriages are made so light that their weight is very slight, and a puff
of wind is often enough to set them in motion; and if they chance to be
on an uneven sidewalk they are likely to roll into the road among the
vehicles. This simple brake, which keeps