J. V. Bartlett

This is a compilation from many old Australian magazines dealing with home-made devices to make life easier on the farm & around the house. There are sections on gate latches, stock feeders, waterers, tool & hardware holders, plus lots more, but in many ways it is a look into the first half of the twentieth century. Many of the common items used no longer exist - oil cans or the tires shown, for instance.The devices & advice given here aren't always great, but most are ingenious & interesting. If nothing else, they illustrate how a cash strapped farmer recycled many single purpose items or even trash into further uses. It assumes you're as handy as they are, have tools & can substitute your own materials as needed.I've read through the book several times, usually in specific sections when looking for an answer, such as inexpensive hay feeders for the horses or when setting up my shop. I've used a few of the solutions directly out of the book, but more often I wind up using part of one, maybe another & the rest fits my situation.There are some interesting reproductions of magazine ads scattered through the book too. They're fun to look at. Perhaps that describes this book the best - it's fun. It's utilitarian value has been lost in many ways, since we don't have the need or the materials mentioned, but it's fun to see what obstacles the farmers faced & how they overcame them.… (plus d'informations)