Cut a piece of smooth rubber, large enough to cover the matrix, from the sheet, throw this into a box of talc, or powdered soapstone, so that it receives a coating on both sides; dust a little of the powder over the matrix, also.  Place the press on a support over a gas burner; or a kerosene lamp, and apply the heat.  Place the matrix on the base of the press, dust off the piece of india rubber and place in the press upon the matrix and screw down the platen.  Heat the press to 284 deg.  F. and keep screwing down the platen so that the rubber, now soft and putty-like, is forced into every recess of the matrix.  A thermometer is not necessary; some rubber always protrudes and the stage of the process can be told from that.  At first it is quite elastic, then as the heat increases it becomes soft, then the curing begins and it again becomes elastic, so that, if a point of a knife blade is pressed against it, it resumes its shape when the point is removed.  When this takes place it is then thoroughly vulcanized and the sheet can be removed from the matrix.  Ten minutes, under favorable conditions, is sufficient time for moulding the rubber.  By means of common glue, or bicycle tire cement, fasten the rubber stamp to a wooden handle.

It is possible to dispense with the press in making stamps, where the work is not done in quantities, and use a hot flat-iron.  The matrix is placed on a stove at low heat, the rubber laid on and the hot iron applied.  But a few moments are required to mould it.

An old letter press if it be inclosed in a tin oven makes a good press, or all the necessary materials and apparatus can be purchased from a dealer.  Any type such as all printers use will answer.

** To Light a Gaslight Without Matches [394]

It is probably well known that if you rub your feet briskly over a carpet on a dry, cold day and then touch any metallic object with your finger it will emit a small spark.  The following amusing experiment may be done on the same principle: 

[Illustration:  Lamp Igniter]

Take any small piece of wire about 2 in. long and twist it around a gas burner as shown at A in the sketch.  Have the tip of the burner about 1/8 in. below the end of the wire.  The wire must be just far enough away from the center of the burner to keep it out of the flame, or else it will melt.

Now get a friend to turn on the gas when you are ready for it.  Go around the room once or twice rubbing your feet along the carpet.  When you come around to the gaslight touch the point of the wire and if the gas is turned on, the light will flare right up as if it had been lit with a match.

This experiment cannot be done on a damp day or without shoes, and works best in cold weather.  —­Contributed by E. H. Klipstein.

** How To Make a Trap For Rabbits, Rats and Mice [395]

From an old 6-in. pine fence board cut off four pieces 2-1/2 ft. long and one 6 in. square for the end of the trap and another 4 in. by 8 in. for the door.  Use old boards, as new boards scare rabbits.