ABO VXD THE FA E M. 



iCS 



Beveral years back, and \rere only prevented from doing so by a positive 

 command to the contrary. By a little patient waiting vre are gratified with 

 seeing " the places which once knew them, know them no more forever." 

 This ia one plan of treatment. 



Martin Boxes. — The box-honse does very well if made of any small box 

 about fifteen inches square (which can be had of any grocer), with a division 

 put in it 80 that two families can inhabit it. A square hole should be sawed 

 out at the bottom edge opposite each 

 division, and the bottom nailed on. 

 Place the box on a pole from twelve to 

 fifteen feet higli, or on the gable end of 

 a roof, or even in a tree, and your 

 house is finished. It can be painted 

 or not, or even made in fancy designa, 

 which are quite attractive to the eye. 

 The illustration given on this page will 

 convey tlie idea. A hop, or other 

 rapid-growing climber, if planted at 

 the bottom of the pole, will cUmb up 

 it and cause it too look quite orna- 

 mental and picturesque. "VN'e have 

 seen them built two stories high, made 

 like a diminutive gothic cottage, which 

 is quite pretty. The house should be 

 made before the martins come, aa 

 they are generally in a hurry to locate 

 and go to " housekeeping." By all 

 means give them some kind of a homo. 



Ciaterns. — Many who have cisterns 

 and depend upon them for their sup- 

 ply of water for family use, hardly 

 realize the importance of keeping them 

 sweet and clean. Rain water as it 

 comes down from the clouds is prob- 

 ably as pure as any water can be, but 

 after it has washed over a roof and 

 down the conductors into the cistern, 

 carrying with it dust, leaves, and other 

 rubbish that may have gathered on the 

 roof or in the gutters, it is not strange 

 that the cistern should need to be mabtin box. 



cleaned out every year or two. If the cistern is not much used the water ia 

 quite likely to become bad. It may look all right, and not taste very bad 

 either, and yet not be healthful. Of course all cistern water should be 

 filtered, and a soft brick filter is perhaps the best; but even then it will be- 

 come necessary to clean the cistern as often as every two years, and better 

 every year. 



To Pojrifj' Cisterns. — Throw in two ounces powdered alum and two 

 ounces borax to a twenty barrel cistern of rain water that is blackened or 

 oily, and in a few hours the sediment will settle, and the water will be claii* 

 fled and fit for wasbiug 



