A cupful (not more) of Diesel oil over the laid hearth fire just before
lighting is a safe starter with no flare such as kerosene gives. It
allows a successful immediate fire with no paper, less kindling, and
greater warmth. Diesel oil is efficient and cheap, and the small
quantity used for this purpose seems to make no obvious increase of
soot. Its safety and cheapness can lead to many adaptations of it as a
fire starter in camp or lodge.
If members of your family are not familiar with lighting such fires,
warn them against tossing gasoline or kerosene on the flames. It is
positively dangerous.
[Illustration: Ordinarily there isn’t space for a bath tub in the
average cabin, but a shower is usually acceptable to all but the
very small members of the family. If you have young children, you
can solve the problem by walling up the shower with cement to a
height of two feet from the floor and providing for a stopper in the
drain. This makes a small tub that young children will appreciate,
and it is easy for adults to step over the wall.]
[Illustration: This ox-yoke lighting fixture fits into the cabin
atmosphere.]
[Illustration: Any wrought iron worker can make this door knocker
from an old horseshoe.]
[Illustration: This interesting lighting fixture is made by
suspending an old kerosene lamp on a hame from a discarded set of
harness.]
[Illustration: Horseshoe andirons give a ranch effect to the cabin
fireplace. Branding irons also make good andirons.]
[Illustration: These horseshoe hinges will add interest to the cabin
door. The nails shown are ornamental, the necessary support being
provided by strong screws countersunk in the iron.]
[Illustration: A sheep bell hung from a strap iron spiral makes an
interesting door bell. A pull at the bottom sets the bell to
jingling gayly.]
[Illustration: This portable and collapsible table is easy to make
and a great convenience in the kitchen or at the side of the
barbecue when you are entertaining outdoors. You can make it of
rustic materials or of ordinary lumber. Cover the top with strong
canvas or a good grade of oilcloth, or both.]