John F. Adams.

The bed here described is suitable for a boy's room; and a boy who is somewhat familiar with the use of wood-working tools would have no difficulty in making one. The necessary lumber, selected oak, is, for the posts A, two pieces 3"x 21/2 and 36" long for headboard, two pieces 3"21/2" and 32" long for footboard; for the crosspieces B, two pieces 3' 111/2" long, 5" wide and 11/4" thick; for the crosspieces C, two pieces 3' 111/2" long, 4" wide and 1 1/4" thick; for the upright pieces D on headboard, seven pieces 221/2" long, 41/2" wide, and 1/2" thick; for the footboard they are 181/2" long. Also two boards 6' 2" long, 6" wide and 3/4" thick for sideboards, and two strips the same length and 3/4" square, to go on inside of side-boards to hold the slats. Eight slats of pine or spruce 3' 6" long, 21/2" wide and 7/8" thick are needed. A full-width bed can be made by lengthening pieces B and C and increasing the width of pieces D.

The posts are first mortised to receive the tenons of the crosspieces, as shown in Fig. 2, which is on the scale 3/4" to 1'. These mortises are 3/4" wide and 3" long, and cut clear through the centers of the posts. The top of mortises for crosspiece B is 2" from end of post. The bottom of mortises for crosspieces C is 51/2" from bottom of posts. The posts A are 3' 4" apart, the tenons on crosspieces being 33/4" long, 3" wide and |" thick.

The pieces B rise to the center, being 4" at the ends and 5" in the center. This tapering can best be done at the mill. The mortises are then cut in the crosspieces to receive the tenons on pieces D. These mortises are 3 1/2' long, 1/2" wide and 5/8" deep,, the pieces D fitting them by sawing out of each corner a piece 1/2" square. The ends of the two mortises nearest the posts A are 11/2" from A. It is well to mark out the mortises with a pencil before commencing to cut them, to ensure getting them correctly placed. When all the mortises and tenons are cut, fit the pieces D into the cross-pieces and then put on the posts, each joint being glued. The wood should not be cold or damp when being glued.

The side pieces are plain boards with the 1" square strips screwed to the lower inside edge to hold the bed-slats. The method of fastening the side pieces to the head and footboards are left optional, being dependent upon what can be purchased at the local hardware store. The various devices for this purpose are quite similar and easily applied.

The bed being completed, it is sandpapered smooth, and then given a coat of very dark stain, and then dull polished. Do not varnish or shellac, as a bright surface is not desirable for this style of furniture.