MIDDLETHIRD THE NINE-FEET PLANK POND. 



93 



admit (Fig. 33). These rods have square bolt-heads on one end, 

 and are tightened by a nut on the other. The grooves are painted 



FIG. 33 scale T V. 



with a mixture of white lead and slate dust, which makes the joints 

 water-tight. A ledge is left on the slate at each end to support 

 the grille (Fig. 34). This is far superior to earthenware sup- 



FIG. 34 scale 



FIG. 35 scale , 



ports, as it leaves no space for dirt. A hole was bored in the 

 bottom at each end alternately, that is to say, six trays have 

 the hole bored at the right-hand end, and six at the left. In the 

 side, near the end opposite the hole in the bottom 

 a second hole is bored, half an inch in diameter, 

 the centre being three-qiiarters of an inch below 

 the top of the side (Fig. 35), in which a pipe 

 having a male screw is inserted and held water- 

 tight by a nut tightened against the slate, the end of the pipe 

 having a flange (not shown in cut) let slightly into the side of 

 the tray. A nozzle to stop any drip running back was next 

 screwed on to the pipe. This completed the tray. When in 

 use a cork closed the hole in the bottom, but only sufficiently to 

 prevent leakage, so that it could be withdrawn at a moment's 

 notice without shaking the tray at all. No grilles were made this 

 season, the eggs being either hatched on the bare slate, or on a 

 thin sprinkling of gravel. 



THE NINE-FEET PLANK POND. 



I built a small 9-feet plank pond. It consisted of a frame of 

 2-inch plank, the ends being checked into the sides and the 



