COXVENIENT ORCHARD LADDERS. 



is five feet long, and the tongue is revers- 

 ed. It rests on the under side of the 

 topmost round, the second round pass- 

 ing through the second hole. The 

 tongue is then drawn back until it 

 cramps between the rounds, and it is 

 fastened there by hooking the wires to 

 staples driven into the side pieces at the 

 proper distance down. The wires then 

 acts as braces. When standing, the 

 ladder forms a tripod. A piece of wood 

 usually has to be fastened to the side of 

 the tongue where it touches the top 

 round, to give sufficient spread. If 

 these ladders do not stand too slanting, 

 a twig the size of one's finger projecting 

 from a limb is sufficient to hold them 

 in place. The short ladder will not stand 

 well if over eight feet long. It is used 

 to pick fruit from the lower branches, 

 and the tongue can be extended or 

 folded, as most convenient. It is a good 

 step-ladder for any purpose. 



Fig. 1183 shows a ladder, somewhat 

 similar to the last in use in gathering 

 dwarf pears ; such a ladder is most con- 

 venient in such a ca.se for often the 

 young growth toward the top would not 

 support an ordinary ladder. 



For very low trees a stout step-lad- 

 der such as is shown in Fig. 11 84 is 

 useful, but a little heavy for carrying 

 about. For small gardens wh.ere a first- 

 class ladder is wanted, and expense is 

 not the first consideration, we commend 

 Harvey's Portable Step ladder, illus- 

 trated on page 97. If the land is at all 

 level, and free from bushes, it can be 

 wheeled about from tree to tree with 

 perfect ease. We have not figured the 

 ordinary step-ladder, because it is for 

 sale everywhere. The great considera- 

 tion with most of us is to have the step- 

 ladders light enough for carrying about 

 the orchard, and strong enough to 

 endure a great deal of abuse 



Fig. 11,S4.— Step Ladder. 



CzOOD OUTDOOR WHITEWASH. 



The following recipe for whitewash- 

 ing was at one time sent out by the light- 

 house board of the treasury department. 

 It has been found, by experience, to do 

 well on wood, brick and stone, and to 

 give almost as good satisfaction as oil 

 paint, being made cheaper. 



Slake one half bushel unslaked lime 

 with boiling water, keeping it covered 

 during the process. Strain it, and add 

 a peck of salt, dissolving in warm water ; 



three pounds ground rice put in boiling 

 water, and boiled to a thin paste ; one- 

 half pound powdered Spanish whiting, 

 and a pound of clear glue, dissolved in 

 warm water ; mix these well together, 

 and let the mixture stand for several 

 days. Keep the wash thus prepared in 

 a kettle of portable furnace, and, when 

 used, put it on as hot as possible, with 

 painters' or whitewash brushes. — N. Y. 

 Farmer. 



298 



