During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are forgotten gems that are pertinent today. I am sharing this series as a historical glimpse into yesterday’s home maintenance and the occasional addition to solutions for the modern home.
10. Making a Dog Kennel
‘The kennel should be constructed in sections. Start with the floor, using planks one inch thick and joining them by two strips of wood nailed across the underside: these should stop short about 2 inches from each side of the floor. Construct the two sides in a similar manner, shape the front and back to support the roof and cut an upright opening in the front. to assemble ,nail together the floor and the two sides, driving the nails securely into the wooden strips onto which the floor rests. Next fit back and front. The roof should be made to overhang the sides and front and when in position, should be covered in waterproof felt secured by battens, as shown on right.’
What a dog kennel! There are no measurements given for this mighty construction so it could be scaled up or down. Make it large enough and it could be called a barn.
