sed, and will attack with
more assurance of success each succeeding problem that he meets.

For coloring, use water color paints. Red, green, and yellow are most
satisfactory, as their identity is retained when staining is applied.

Apply the stain with a brush, and with a soft cloth rub it in until it
is dry. This develops or brings out the grain.

When sure that the stain is well rubbed in and dry, apply butcher's
wax, and polish with a soft cloth. Some articles need two coats of
stain, and an equal amount of polish.

In all work impress upon the child the fact that what is worth doing is
worth doing well, or it should not be done at all.

Each model given works out a problem in handling the knife and cutting
the wood, and each problem leads up to the one that follows.

We will begin with the simplest thing one can make--a puzzle.

1 Puzzle

_Problem_--To cut with the grain of the wood, and how to cut
corners. (See page 57.)

_Material_--Basswood: one piece 7x1-1/2x3/16 inches; one
piece 3x1-1/2x3/16 inches. One yard of macrame cord.

Shave the 7x1-1/2-inch strip of wood down with a knife until it is an
inch wide, being careful to keep the edges parallel. Measure off
three-eighths of an inch in opposite directions on each corner and on
both sides of the wood. Connect these points by a pencil line. Cut off
each corner the space indicated by the line. Be careful always to cut
with the grain of the wood; cutting against it will split the board.
Next, three-fourths of an inch from each end, and equally distant from
the sides, and in the center, bore holes. From the 3x1-1/2-inch piece
of wood, cut two blocks one and one-half inches square, and bore a hole
in the center of each. Double the string to a loop and draw this loop
through the center hole of the rectangular strip. Pull the loop to the
edge, and draw through it the two ends of the cord. String the
1-1/2-inch blocks, one on each cord, then tie the ends of cord in the
two end holes of the rectangular strip.

The puzzle is finished. What is the aim, and how can it be solved?

[Illustration: PUZZLE]

_Solution._ Mark one block. Hold one in the hand and move the other
along until it passes through the loop at the center.

Pull the cord through the middle hole until it draws with it four
thicknesses of cord. Now slide the block along until it passes through
a double loop. Next, draw this double loop back through the hole; the
string