Helpful Homestead Projects and Tips

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PHOTO: FOTOLIA/BRETT MULCHAY
Mint Vinegar is a great dressing with lamb, fruit salad and — if frozen into ice cubes — drinks.  

How to Divide a board Into Halves … The Easy Way

Some folks never do seem to learn the easiest way in the world to divide a board, piece of paper, or other sheet of material into halves. Just lay a 12-inch ruler diagonally across the width of the piece so that each end of the measure is flush with one edge of the sheet. The six-inch mark will always be right on center, no matter how wide the piece being scribed. The same idea can be used to locate thirds, quarters, etc., and — for sheets of plywood or other wider — than-one-foot spans — substitute a yardstick or tape measure for the ruler.

Ways to Recycle

If you’ve ever tied Ole Bowser in the backyard or tethered a calf out in the pasture, you know that either critter can tangle more knots in its rope than grandma knows how to knit into forty yards of yarn.

You can put an end to that problem once and for all, however, by recycling an old wagon, cart, bicycle, or other wheel into a handy-dandy “staker-outer” something like the one shown here. Just mount the wheel so that it turns freely on a post and tie your animal to any point on the rim. As Ole Bowser or young Elsie walks around and around the stake, the tie-point will revolve with the dog or calf … making it practically impossible for the animal to tangle the line.

  • Published on Mar 1, 1977
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