John F. Adams

Such bulky volumes as the dictionary, atlas, and similar books, are frequently to be found in rather inaccessible places, and consequently are not used as often as might be desired, owing to the bother of lifting around to an empty space large enough to receive them. The holder here described is just the right arrangement for making such books available for the uses intended, and readers of this magazine who make frequent use of these books will find the holder will repay the work of making it.

Oak is the wood giving the best effect, but gumwood, cypress or Georgia pine may be used, and when stained with "weathered oak " stain will show the markings of the wood to good advantage. The two side pieces are 36 in. long, 16 in. wide at the bottom, and 12 in. wide at the top, with the top ends cut to the angle for a length 4 in. less than at the back.

The top and middle shelve are 16 in. long or, if the ends are sunk into grooves 1/4 in. deep cut in the side, which is recommended for additional strength, the length is 6 1/2 in. These pieces are each l3 1/4 in. wide, which allows enough for bevelling the front and back edges of the top piece, which is put in with the top side 2 in. below the top of side pieces. At the front edge of this piece a 1/2 in. square strip is nailed on to make a ledge which serves to prevent the slipping of any book placed thereon. The middle shelf is placed 10 in. below the lower front edge of the top.

The two shelves with projecting ends to receive the wedges are 20 1/2 in. long, the top one 12f in. wide and the bottom are 14|in.wide; the latter is placed 4 in. above the floor, the upper one 5 in. above the middle shelf previously mentioned. The shelf proper is, of course, the same length as the others, 16 in. with projecting ends 2 1/4 in. long and 2 in. wide. The ends at the rear are 2 1/2 in. from rear edge of sides; in the upper one; the front ones are 4 1/2 in. and the lower one 5 1/2 in. from the rear ones. The wedges are 2 1/2 in. long, 7/8 in. wide, 3/4 in. thick at top and 3/8 in. thick at bottom. After cutting holes in the sides for the ends of the shelves, mark out the location for the holes for the wedges and cut as accurately as possible.

The piece under the lower shelf at the front is 16 inen long and 4 in. wide, with any ornamental curves c son out as desired. It is placed 1/4 in. back from the frgood edge of the lower shelf, and fastened with nails. verIn staining furniture in which nail or screw holes have to be puttied up, it is quite necessary that the putty be stained to as deep a color as the wood will be when stained, otherwise wherever putty is used the difference in color will be noticeable. As putty is mixed with oil, an oil stain should be used, the puttying to be done after staining, taking off any conspicuous marks with a cloth wet with the stain. A water stain, if applied after puttying will not take whenever the puttying has been applied, even if no putty remains on the wood; the oil from the putty leaving its impression sufficiently to make unsightly places in the staining.