FARM HANDICRAFT FOR SCHOOLS. 



25 



Note to Teacher. — These forcing boxes can be made useful aids in teaching 

 agriculture. If you have no rhubarb or asparagus in the school garden, undoubtedly 

 you can get permission to use a few clumps at some near-by farm. The pupils will 

 be interested in observing the difference between the forced and unforced plants, 

 and, in addition, it will show them the necessity of warmth in plant growth. 



The making of the boxes and their use in a garden will suggest 

 good ideas for written lessons. As problems in arithmetic, have the 

 pupils keep records of the sale prices of forced and unforced rhubarb 

 and asparagus and compare the results, taking into account the cost 

 of the boxes. As the boxes should last, say, five years, they should 

 be figured at one-fifth of the actual cost. 



EXERCISE X. SORTING TABLE FOR VEGETABLES AND FRUITS. 



In figure 31 is shown a sorting table for use when packing vegeta- 

 bles and fruits. It is especially useful for tomatoes and apples. The 



Fig. 31.— Sorting table. 



table is 3 feet high, 3 feet 2 inches wide, and 4 feet long and will 

 accommodate two packers. The top is made of burlap or canvas 

 stretched loosely on the frame; this provides a yielding surface that 

 will not bruise the product to be packed. The baskets or other con- 

 tainers to be filled are placed on rests made by a board extending 

 across the bottom of the frame. Two of the side boards extend out 

 a foot to provide a rest against which a box or other flat container 

 can be leaned, if such a type is used. 



The lumber required is one piece of 1 by 8 inches by 16 feet, one 

 piece 1 by 12 inches by 10 feet, two pieces 1 foot by 3 inches by 

 10 feet, two pieces 1 foot by 3 inches by 8 feet, and one piece 2 by 

 4 inches by 12 feet. The other material required is two pieces of 

 burlap or canvas, each 4 by 5 feet, 14 feet of old rubber hose, and a 

 quantity of 8 and 10 penny nails. 



