INVENTION AND DISCOVERY


FRUIT-PICKER.--Fruit-picking is such an easy matter for boys that I
think it is the girls who will chiefly appreciate this contrivance. It
too often happens that there will be a very tall tree with fruit well
out of reach, and a girl at the foot of it who is not an expert climber.
Her mouth need no longer water in vain. This fruit-picker is very
ingenious. It consists of scoop-shaped jaws worked by cords and springs,
and mounted on a pole of suitable length. Attached to the jaws is a
long, funnel-shaped bag, which receives the fruit and allows it to drop
without injury right into the fruit-picker's hands.

[Illustration: Fruit Picker]

[Illustration: Safety-Brake]

SAFETY-BRAKE FOR CHILDREN'S CARRIAGES.--So many accidents occur with
baby-carriages that this ought to be a great comfort to mothers, and a
great help to the "little mothers" who mind the babies. Children's
carriages are made so light that their weight is very slight, and a puff
of wind is often enough to set them in motion; and if they chance to be
on an uneven sidewalk they are likely to roll into the road among the
vehicles. This simple brake, which keeps the wheels from moving when the
handle is released, will render this impossible, and make it safe to
leave the carriage, baby and all, without the fear of harm coming to it.