eparing, as this brings out
their color. The ordinary large kind of seaweed is useful as a
barometer. A piece hung by the door will tell when rain is coming by
growing moist and soft.

Shell Work

A good use for little shells is to cover small boxes with them. The
shells are arranged in a simple pattern and fastened on with glue. If
the shells are not empty and clean, boil them, and scrub them with an
old tooth-brush.

Good Seaside Friends

So many interesting things are to be seen at the seaside that there is
no need to be always at play. Fishermen will come in with their boats,
which need pulling up; or a net that has been dropped near the shore
will be drawn in from the beach, and you can perhaps help. If the town
is not merely a watering-place but also a seaport, it is, of course,
better, because then there will be the life of the harbor to watch. To
be friends with a lighthouse man is almost as good a thing as can
happen; and if there is both a lighthouse and a shipbuilder's you
could hardly be more fortunate.

IN THE COUNTRY

This chapter has been written more for readers who live in a town and
visit the country only during the holidays than for those whose home
is always there. Regular country dwellers do not need to be told many
of the things that follow; but none the less there may be a few to
find them useful. The principal special attractions of the country
are--

In the spring Birds' nests.
" June Bee-swarming and hay-making.
" July Sheep-washing and shearing.
" August Early windfalls and harvest.
" September Blackberries, nuts, hops, mushrooms, and squirrels.

Making Friends

The most important thing to do when staying at a farmhouse is to
make friends with the principal people. The principal people are those
in charge of the chickens and ducks, the cows and the horses. The way
to make friends is to be as little trouble as possible.

Exploration

On reaching the farm, it is well to make a journey of discovery, in
order to learn where everything is. The more one knows about the
things in store--the size of the barn, the height of the haystacks,
the number of horses, the name of the watch-dog, the position and
character of the pond, and so forth--the simpler will it be, on going
to bed, to make plans for the visit.

Finding Hens' Eggs

The farmer's wife usually has charge of the chickens and ducks,