CHAPTER II

MOTHER NATURE'S HORN OF PLENTY

Many of the articles named under the Market Basket Division of this book could be classified also under the above head. In addition we present the following:

STONES AND PEBBLES

=Collections= (_Stones_, _small boxes_)

Collect various pretty little stones and pebbles on river shore, coast or roadway, and classify in different ways--according to color, shape, size. This exercises the child's observing powers and trains him in detecting differences and resemblances. Keep in small boxes.

=Bottled Pebbles= (_Pebbles_, _plain glass bottle_)

Put some pretty pebbles in a glass bottle filled with water which intensifies the color. Send to some sick friend, especially some one from the prairies who may seldom see stones. It is always well for the child to have some definite object in view when he does anything.

=Toy Path-Markers=

Use pebbles in the sand-box for outlining the little paths in the wee park or farm.

=Jackstones=

Pebbles of right size and shape make good jackstones.

=Toy Vegetables= (_Small square of cheesecloth_, _needle_, _thread_, _pebbles_)

Make tiny cheesecloth bags and use pebbles as potatoes, apples, etc., in play with the little wagons made by the child. In playing store with them comes opportunity for counting and measuring. Tiny boxes can be used for quart and pint measures, and the child may be shown that two pints make one quart, etc.

=Paper-Weight= (_Large, smooth stone_, _oil-paints_)

If you find a large, smooth stone of pretty tone, let the older child decorate it with a little picture done in oil paints.

SHELLS

=Collections= (_Shells_, _small boxes_)

Collect and classify according to color, shape, etc., and keep in separate boxes.

=Bottled Shells= (_Shells_, _bottle_)

Put little shells in bottle of water to bring out lovely colors. (See Bottled Pebbles above.)

=Border for Sand-Table=

Place small shells along little paths in sand-table, sometimes with concave side up and _vice versa_.

Larger shells, as clamshells, make fine borders for roads and paths in the country. They outline the road on a dark night.

=Water-Color-Cups=

Collect and save shells to give to some artist friend as extra cups for his water-color paints.

=Ramekin Dishes=

Large shells make serviceable individual dishes for baked fish, etc. Appropriate for fish dinner.

=Individual Salt and Butter Dishes=

These can be made of the smaller pink and yellow shells found on many coasts. Let the children collect shells for this purpose, and use for fish dinner.

=Toy-Boat=

A small shell is often found which, with the little natural seat found at one end, at once suggests a little boat. Have the children collect and save for those far from the shore.

=Pin-Tray= (_Scallop shell_, _oil-paints_)

Paint a marine view in oils inside a shell for pin-tray.

=Pin-Cushion= (_Small piece of satin or velvet_, _saw-dust_, _glue_, _two perfect scallop-shells_)

Make a small pin-cushion of satin or velvet, filled with saw-dust, and glue between a pair of scallop shells, so that it fits in between as they open out.

=Piano Scarf= (_Several dozen small, thin, yellow shells found on Atlantic coast_, _one yard Nile green India silk_, _strong sewing silk_)

Hem the silk an inch deep at each end. Sew to one end a fringe of shells made as follows:

The shells usually have a tiny hole in them when found. If not, one is easily pierced by a strong needle. Take twelve lengths of strong sewing silk, white, each 20 inches long. To each of these tie twelve shells at intervals of an inch each. You will then have twelve strings of shells, which are to be sewed to the scarf as a fringe, putting them about three inches apart. Sew two rows of shells directly on the scarf itself, putting them about four inches apart each way. If desired, in making the fringe some of the strings may be shorter than others, arranged so that the long and short ones alternate.

BIRCH BARK

=Needle-Case or Penwiper= (_Squares of chamois skin or flannel_, _sewing-silk_, _paint_)

Cut bark into circles, squares, oblongs, etc. Decorate with gold lettering or borders of gold. Make several leaves of flannel or chamois skin and sew the bark on to these as a cover. The flannel may be scalloped. An appropriate sentiment to write upon penwiper cover is "Extracts from the pen of--" putting in the name of the recipient. The leaves and cover may be sewed together with a cross-stitch.

=Handkerchief-Box= (_Punch_, _several strands of raffia_)

Cut two pieces of bark 6 × 6 inches. Cut four others 3 × 6 inches. Along the edge of these punch (with a conductor's punch or one that can be bought at a kindergarten supply place) holes an inch apart and 1/4 inch from edge. Sew the four narrow pieces to the square for bottom and sides of box. Sew remaining square more loosely to one side as cover. Sew with strands of raffia, sewing through the holes already made. If desired to give a more finished appearance punch more holes along edge of box and lid, making them 1/4 inch apart. Then hold a fine basket reed or piece of raffia along the edges and overcast. If lavender or sweet grass is obtainable, that will be even better than reed or raffia for the edge, lending its fragrance to the gift. The box can be still further finished by lining with dainty silk. Make glove box in same way, but longer in proportion to width.

=Pencil and Paint-Brush Box= (_Bark_, _raffia_, _needle or crochet hook_)

This is cylindrical. Cut a piece of bark 5 × 8 inches. Punch in it a series of holes 3/4 of an inch apart, and 1/2 inch from edge of each short side. Place these so that one edge overlaps the other and the holes coincide with one another. Then sew together with raffia. Use a short needle or none at all. Raffia can be drawn through holes with a crochet-hook. Punch holes in the lower end of this cylinder and cut a circle of same size as diameter of cylinder out of cardboard. Punch corresponding holes in this and sew the bottom in. Strengthen top by overcasting over a twist of raffia, sweet grass or sweet clover.

=Canoe= (_Bark_, _pencil_, _thread_, _paper_, _paraffine_)

Fold strong piece of bark and cut an outline of a canoe, rounding the ends. Sew the ends closely together with stout thread, overcasting the edges with same. Make watertight by lining with paper dipped in melted paraffine. Paraffine may be bought at grocer's.

=Fan=, modeled after East Indian pattern (_Bark_, _kindling wood_, _dye_, _gold paint_)

Cut two stiff pieces of bark into hatchet-shaped trapezoid. Punch row of holes in the narrowest side, whittle a handle of pinewood, and sew it to the narrow edge of bark over and over through the holes.

The handle may be stained with some natural dye and fan decorated with gold paint.

=Picture-Frame= (_Bark_, _punch_, _sweet grass_)

Cut two pieces of bark 4 × 5 inches, one of smooth bark, one of the outer bark with pleasing markings. Punch holes around the edges of each 3/4 inches apart. In the rough outside piece cut an oval 2-1/2 × 3 inches. Around this inner oval punch holes near together and bind this around with sweet grass overcast with fine raffia. Now sew the two pieces of bark together, first cutting into the back piece a slit near the bottom into which to slide the photograph.

In using sweet grass as binding it is well to wind the bunch first with thread to hold the pieces together, and after the grass is firmly sewed the temporary thread can be cut away. The bunch of grass thus used may be about as thick as half the little finger.

Punch may be bought at kindergarten store, or conductor's punch will do.

GOURDS

=Darning-Egg=

A smooth well-shaped gourd (mock-orange) makes a serviceable darning egg.

=Hanging-Basket= (_Large gourd_, _soil_, _plant_)

Clear the gourd of fibre and seeds, after cutting off the top rim evenly. Pierce the top with two holes through which to attach cord for hanging, fill with a light, loose soil, and plant in it a drooping, trailing plant. Cut a hole in the lower end to allow for drainage. Let the country child save gourds of good shape to present, thus filled, to city friends.

VEGETABLES

=Sweet-Potato Vine=

Put a sweet potato in sandy loam in a hanging basket and water occasionally. It will produce a beautiful, graceful vine.

=Carrot-Top=

Cut off the top of a young carrot evenly and place it on top of a pot filled with sand. Moisten well, and keep in the dark till it has begun to sprout; when the leaves appear take it out, and the word "Carrot-top" will acquire a new meaning, the result is so pretty.

=Turnip=

Take a turnip and clean the outside, taking care not to injure the parts from which the leaves spring. Cut a piece off the bottom and scoop out the inside, leaving the top intact. Fasten string or wire to it so as to hang it upside down. Fill and keep filled with water, and soon the leaves will sprout and curl up, forming a beautiful natural hanging basket.

RAFFIA

This flexible fiber, long used by florists, is now also used a great deal in the schools for the educational hand-training it affords. It can be obtained at kindergarten supply places.

=Reins=

Take three to six strands and braid into reins for playing horse. As the ends of the strands are approached (each is about a yard long) begin to weave in a new strand, as inconspicuously as possible. Do not have the strands all exactly the same length to begin with, because if you reach the end of all at the same time it makes it difficult to weave in new ones neatly.

=Mat=

Take such a long braid as described above, and holding one end flat, turn it round and round spirally but flat, and sew with thread to make a mat for the tea-pot. By bending up a little as you sew you can make a basket.

=Picture-Frame= (_Cardboard_, _raffia_, _thread and needle_)

Cut a circle of cardboard 5 × 5 inches in diameter. From the centre cut out a smaller circle three inches in diameter. This leaves a circular cardboard frame. Wind this round and round smoothly with the raffia. Paste another circle on the back to give a good finish, but in this second circle cut a slit up which to slide the photograph.

=Woven Mat= (_Loom_, _raffia_)

Thread a little loom with raffia warp as described on page 90. Then weave the woof (also of raffia) back and forth to make a mat or a case for hanging basket. To make the latter the right size have the warp threads as _long_ as the can is _around the circumference_, and have the _width_ about the same as the _height_ of the can.

The raffia can be colored with Diamond dyes and wee rugs made for the doll-house on tiny looms.

=Grace Hoops= (See under Plays and Games)

LEAVES

=Festoons and Wreaths= (_Leaves, fresh or dried_, _thorns or needle and thread_)

City children may need to be told what seems to be handed down to the country child from generation to generation, that leaves may be made into wreaths for the head or decoration for the room either by overlapping one upon another and fastening together with a thorn or sharp twig, or by stringing together on a stout thread.

=To Dry or Press= (_Blotting paper_, _two small smooth boards_, _strap_, _wax or linseed oil_)

Gather and press pretty autumn leaves thus: Have ready two boards measuring about one by two feet. Put the leaves between sheets of blotting paper and place these between the boards and then strap them tightly together, or if no straps are convenient, put the boards beneath a heavy weight (a book will do). Change the paper every day or so till sure that they are quite dry.

To preserve and brighten the colors after drying dip in melted wax and press a moment with a hot iron, or clear, boiled linseed oil will do in place of the wax, using, however, as little as possible.

=Decoration for Curtains=

Pin to lace curtains in attractive arrangement.

=Transparency= (_Leaves_, _bolting-cloth_, _1 yard white India silk_, _sewing silk_, _needle_)

1. Take a piece of bolting-cloth twice the length of the largest leaf and fold over evenly. Open again and place the leaves upon the bolting-cloth artistically in a row; fold the cloth over again and baste. Bind the edges with white ribbon, and at the two upper corners sew the ends of a narrow ribbon with which to suspend the transparency in the window.

2. Or, if preferred, sew the bolting-cloth transparency as a border to the end of a yard of India silk as a scarf for shelf or piano.

=Frieze of Leaves= (_Leaves_, _cartridge or other strong paper of good tone_, _glue_)

A pretty frieze for a room can be made by pasting leaves on a long, foot-high strip of paper which forms a background. The effect will depend largely upon the harmony between the color of the leaves and the background, as well as upon the arrangement of the leaves. They may be arranged in an irregular line, or may be placed so as to form artistic groups of twos and threes or fours.

=Collections of Leaves=

When the collecting instinct is upon him, let the child collect and classify leaves according to shape. See if he can tell by the leaf what tree it came from, and if he recognizes the different varieties of leaves.

=Four-Leaved Clovers=

Look for four-leaved clovers when on your country walks, and save to press and afterwards use in writing letters of good-will as decoration for paper, pasting on at upper left hand corner; or use to decorate place cards for dinners. It will hardly be necessary to state that the four-leaved clover has for long years been the symbol of good-luck.

=Shadow Game= (_See under Sun and Shadow_)

FEATHERS

=Feather Flowers= (_A large goose with many white feathers_, _beeswax_, _spools of wire of different sizes_, _aniline dyes, though vegetable dyes are preferable if obtainable_, _strong scissors suitable for cutting wire_, _spools of strong white cotton thread_, _spool of milliner's green-covered wire_)

Pluck the breast of the goose. (Feathers come out very easily.) The feathers, being very light, fly about and therefore it is best to do the plucking in an uncarpeted room or one in which the floor has been covered with a large sheet.

Classify the feathers according to size, and arrange in bundles of about thirty by winding a stout thread around the quills. Thus they are ready for the dyeing process.

Dye according to directions on packages. For deep green of leaves and for calyx immerse for several minutes; for more delicate tints immersion for a second is sufficient.

Suppose we select for our first effort a carnation. Choose a real one for a model. Having selected about twenty feathers of the required sizes and colors, cut the ends to resemble the form of the petal and then pink the edge as in the real flower. The actual number of petals required will depend upon the size of the flower copied and must be left to the judgment of the maker.

Take the measure of the length of stem required on the wire and double it (wire must be twice as long as stem). Wind tightly and evenly around it the green milliner's wire to make the stem.

Soften the beeswax by heating slightly in a pan till soft enough to mold between the fingers. Shape it into the form of the calyx, inserting the stem at the lower end, and pushing it far enough to insure firmness. Wrap this soft calyx form round with green feathers to represent the flower copied. Upon accuracy at the beginning depends the success of the flower, therefore it is necessary to observe the natural one closely. The green feathers must entirely cover the calyx mold, the upper ones curving back a little as in the genuine calyx.

Take some colored petals and insert between the calyx and the wax mold, pushing the quill end of the feather firmly into the wax. Arrange the petals spirally, beginning at the bottom and building gradually up to the top. The larger feathers are used first, growing smaller toward the top. Complete the flower by inserting the stamens and pistil, which are made by tearing one small feather into narrow strips and curling these by drawing once over a scissors blade.

The simplest flowers to make are: Carnation pinks, violets, sweet peas, fuchsias, roses and Easter lilies. With the proper amount of time, patience and perseverance, any flower can be successfully made.

If leaves are desired, cut green feathers into the required shape and attach.

=Indian Headdress= (_Large turkey feathers_, _glue_, _cardboard_, _paint_)

Save large feathers from turkey or rooster and make Indian headdress by glueing upon cardboard cut to proper shape. For model look at copper cent.

FLOWERS

=Pressed Morning-Glories= (_The flowers_, _white tissue-paper_, _scissors_, _book or pressing boards_)

Press the flowers between a fold of thin tissue-paper. The delicate flowers will adhere to the paper, which is sufficiently transparent however for the morning-glory to be visible through it. When dry, cut the paper from around the flower and pin to curtains, lambrequin, etc., as desired, or attach to letter paper.

=Soldier-Flowers= (_Milkweed blossoms_)

The small blossoms of the milkweed may be made to stand in rows and columns like soldiers, two by two, four by four, etc., giving practice in counting.

ROSE-HAWS

=Rosaries= (_Haws_, _stout thread_, _needle_)

When the beautiful red rose-haws ripen let the children string them, making rosaries to send to city friends.

STRAWS

=Stringing= (_Scissors_, _needle_, _thread_, _cranberries_, _nuts_, _etc._)

Save the straw from rye and let the children cut it into one-inch lengths for stringing alternately with cranberries, nuts, beads, etc. Use to decorate the room, to make portieres, and to decorate the child himself when dressing up.

=Blowing Bubbles= (_Straw_, _soapy water_)

Hollow straws several inches long may be used to blow tiny bubbles of soapy water in the absence of a clay pipe.

SUN AND SHADOW

=Blue-Prints= (_Leaf_, _blue-print paper_, _running water_, _small oblong of glass_)

A package of blue-print paper can be bought at any photographic supply place for from 15 cents up, or can be had in the sheet from an architect's supply store. It must be carefully protected from the light till ready for use.

Take a square of the paper and place upon it a leaf or flower or inconspicuous weed that makes a good shadow on the sidewalk or window sill. Place this in pleasing position upon the paper and put quickly in the bright sunshine, holding it in place with the small pane of glass (common picture glass will do). Leave exposed to the sun for about ten minutes, then pour cold water over it for a moment or so, and the "shadow" will be seen to be permanently "fixed" in light blue against a darker blue background.

An artist acquaintance has a hundred or more such prints of leaves, plants and flowers beautifully mounted in a Japanese blank-book, the paper of which makes an exquisite background. She finds these shadows of the flowers and commonest weeds suggestive in her designing.

=Shadow Game= (_Smooth fence in sunshine_; _branch with leaves_.)

1. Several children sit in row, facing smooth board fence. Another group of children form their opponents. Of these one walks behind seated row in such a way that his profile is visible on fence. Seated children guess opponent from shadow cast.

2. One child casts on wall shadow of leafy branch. Opponents guess name of parent tree.