18 



sent shades. Bottom of box and the pole are painted black. 

 The angle-irons, four in number, for fastening the box 

 to the top end of the pole, are made of old buggy or wagon 

 tire, according to the weight they have to support, and are 

 screwed to the bottom of the box and to the pole; or if an 

 iron pipe is used, to a piece of wood which will slip down 

 into the end of the pipe. All expensive Martin houses should 

 be erected on a pole provided with a pair of barn-door hinges 

 and a clasp for locking securely in position, and for lowering 

 the same and placing in the dry during the winter. This is 

 done by casing 2 feet of the lower end of the pipe in a box 

 made of 2-inch joists, and hinging it to the top end of a solid 

 piece of oak or locust, 7 to 10 inches square and 3 feet long, 

 placed in the ground to the depth of 2i feet. (See illustration 

 and foot-note, page 17). 



