Farming Advice: Cutting Teeth, Livestock Houses from Wire Reels and Insect Repellent

article image
ILLUSTRATION: MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
"We make our chicken and rabbit houses from old wire reels that we obtain from the local phone company."

MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers share their farming advice, fun tips and country folklore, including babies cutting teeth pain, building chicken and rabbit houses from wire reels and a home-brewed insect repellent that works.

Farming Advice: Cutting Teeth, Livestock Houses from Wire Reels and Insect Repellent

“Our toddler is cutting teeth, and she can be quite a terror when one’s coming in,” writes Jim McCloud of Cottage Grove, Oregon. “It seems the freezable teething rings are never in the freezer when she needs one . . . that child leaves them in the darndest places! Fortunately, my wife and I have discovered that frozen vegetables work as well as does any commercial device. The cold numbs her gums, and–while chewing on a piece of carrot or whatever–our little girl picks up some extra nutrition as well!”


Cynthia Burns of Puyallup, Washington offers this bit of country (or city!) lore: “One of the most frustrating lessons for a child to learn when helping around the house or homestead is, ‘Which way do I turn it?’ Well, your youngsters will always remember once they learn the phrase ‘Right to tight and left to loose.’ “

  • Published on Jul 1, 1982
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368