428 HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



A mirror, if you prefer it here instead of on the bureau, 

 adds very much to its appearance, especially if set off by 

 a "half-circle shelf" above it, fastened to the wall, from 

 which depends some graceful drapery, parted in the center 

 and sweeping to either side of the table. A square hole 

 cut in the front or side of the barrel at the base, makes a 

 convenient receptacle for shoes or a hat-box, which is en- 

 tirely concealed by the drapery. 



THE ROSS NOVELTY RUG MACHINE. 



This is a subject that excites our enthusiasm, and well it 

 may, as we look around us upon the handsome rugs of wool- 

 en yarn and rags, and the silk chair covers, and table cov- 

 ers, that our household owes to this little wonder-worker. 



With this simple machine in hand (it is so very simple 

 that a child can use it), there is not a scrap of cotton, silk, 

 or woolen rags, old coats, merino stockings or dresses, that 

 can not be utilized, with ease, and converted into handsome, 

 durable rugs, mats, chair, ottoman, lounge or table covers ; 

 and the lighter shades of these otherwise ' ' waste pieces " 

 can be readily dyed by the aniline dyes of any color or 

 shade desired. 



The Ross Novelty Machine costs but one dollar by mail 

 (Ross & Co., Toledo, Ohio, are the manufacturers), but 

 the number of dollars that may be saved by its use are in- 

 finite. Let us see how it works. 



The first thing after getting your machine ("first catch 

 your hare") is to get a frame, a very simple aflfair, four 

 strips, one and a half inches wide, one inch thick ; two of 

 the four strips should be six or seven feet long — the latter 

 is safer, if you want large rugs — and the other two, three 

 feet long; bore auger-holes through them, about three 

 inches apart, of a size to fit the four common iron bolts, 

 with nuts, which complete the frame ; if stained with black 



