THE BOX KITE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22193, 9 September 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE BOX KITE

Kites are in; perhaps you bought one; perhaps you made an ordinary one. Now try this superior one and see how satisfactory it is—the box kite. \ Cut four strips of light wood, redwood or white pine (free from knots), each measuring 36in by Sin x fin and four more pieces lOin by iln x 4 in. These should be planed smoothly and the sharp edges should be sandpapered off. Next

glue and nail the short pieces to the long ones to make two frames as shown at (A) in fig. 2. These may be bound with waxed thread to strengthen the joints. It is necessary to be very careful to make the frame square.

Before making the crossbars—B. fig. 2—which should be bound where they cross, sew the cloth parts. These measure 3ft Bin by lOin wide—this does not include extra for hemming. A light calico is a good material, but silk or paper may be used. Put the material parts over the side frames A and ask someone to hold them while you measure the length of the cross pieces B. These shduld be

cut full length so that they have to be sprung into position, thus holding the cloth tightly stretched. Notch them at the ends to fit over the side frames and bind them with waxed thread just below the notches. Spring the crossbars into

position and bind them where they cross. Attach the bridle cords just below the top cloth—see fig. 1 —and tie them together about 3ft 6in away. To Make the Winder or Reel This is simply made as shown in fig. 3. Cut two <4in discs from lin wood, each with a 1 1/16 in hole in the centre. For the drum use a piece of wood 2Jin long by 2in x 2in, with the corners planed off. Make a hole 1 l-16in through as shown; the drum could be bored after the discs are glued and nailed on, boring from each side; in this way the hole would be bored straight for the handle to go through. The handle is lin dowelling lOin long. It is held in place with iin pins on each side of the discs, see figure 3. A winding handle could 'be fiyed as shown with a Jin dowell 2in long. The best cord to get is builder's cord, say from 300 to 500 feet; attach it to bridle as shown.

Samplers

On old samplers many kinds of verses are to be found. Here are some: When i was Young and in my Prime here you may see how I spent my time. (Sarah Pelham, aged 6.) This is my Work so You may see. What care my mother as , took of me. Ann bell. In 1712, Elizabeth Clements stitched: This I have done I thank my God Without the coi-rection of the rod.

Children's contribution.!, apart from stories and poems, should be about things they have seen or done. Readers are invited to send questions on any subjects of interest to be answered in these columns.