TOOLS AND THEIR USES. 33 



the floor to the ceiling. In each piece of joist firmly set 

 iron staples one foot apart and six inches from either side. 

 From the lower staples to the upper ones firmly stretch 

 strings of tarred marline, seven feet long. Make a 

 straw band five feet long and one inch thick, by 

 firmly wrapping the straw with tarred string. Fasten 

 the band securely at the bottom of the upright cords 

 by means of tarred strings, which for convenience' sake 

 may be wound on sticks, and must be attached to the up- 

 rights, and afterwards serves for binding the straw. 



Supposing two men to be engaged at this work, which 

 is the most expeditious plan, let each be provided with a 

 bundle of straw, and taking sufficient to make an inch in 

 diameter when bound, place the but-ends against the 

 frame on each side, and wrap the tarred strings around 

 the straw and the upright at the same time, passing it 

 through in the form of a half-hitch, and draw it tight. To 

 make the strings draw easy, rub them with soap. When 

 the desired length is completed, put on a band as in the 

 start. It is very important to have good rye straw for 

 this purpose. 



It should be reaped, "and hand-thrashed, or, what is bet- 

 ter still, be reaped when in blossom, whereby it docs not 

 require thrashing, hence is much stronger, and moreover 

 does not contain any grain to attract mice when the mats 

 are stored. 



Straw mats, if rolled up and stored away when out of 

 use, and temporarily put away during wet weather, when 

 in use, will last a great many years. 



Sashes. These are very important. They may be 

 made of any convenient size. Those generally used by 

 gardeners are three by six feet, the frames of clear pine, 

 an inch and a half thick ; the glass six by eight inches, and 

 of the best quality. By keeping them glazed and painted 

 they will last many years. 

 2* 



