A pretty table ornament in the shape of a small automatic fountain can be constructed of materials within the reach of every Handy Man.

While the height of the jet is small, unless the apparatus is constructed on a large scale, still it makes a very attractive ornament, running, as it does, continuously.

The outside shell can be of any convenient diameter as this dimension has no effect on the result. It is divided into three horizontal compartments. A. B, and C, the two latter of which must be air-tight. The upper one, A, is open on top and on the depth of this depends the height of the jet.

A pipe D connects the compartments A and C. The partition which separates B and C has an opening E in it. In the center of this partition a circular cup-shaped depression, F. is formed and there extends into this cup a small pipe. G. which passes through the upper partition of compartment B and projects slightly above the upper edge of the shell. All joints should be soldered tight. The principle of operation is as follows: The opening in the pipe G at the point H is stopped up and then the upper tion A is filled with water. This descends through the pipe D and fills the compartment C; then it flows through the port E and fills the cup F.

The compartment B being an air pocket is under pressure equal to the head or weight of water from the top of the cup F to the level of the water in A and when the pipe G is opened this pressure forces the water in the cup up through the pipe, forming at jet at H, the water being replaced by the flow through the pipe D into the compartment C and overflowing into the cup F.

Fig. 267 - A fountain for the table.

The pipe G should be about 1/16-inch copper pipe, smooth inside, and the opening at H about 1/32 inch in diameter drilled smoothly, that is without burrs.

The best method of obtaining this latter hole is to have a small cap threaded onto the pipe G and the hole drilled in it. In this way holes of different sizes and shapes can be tried.

A pretty effect is secured by means of a silvered glass ball I attached to pipe G with a deflector, J, which gives a circular sheet of water.