June is the ideal time for picnics; in this month there are so many perfect days, when none should work, but all should play, that one is prompted to plan for a little fun and frolic, including an informal

Should the ride be more than a mile or two, the way may be beguiled with gay songs and choruses, or games in which all may join while sitting quietly in their places. Such a game is the old one

The leader proceeds with "Simon says, 'Thumbs up,'" then up must go all thumbs, and when "Simon says 'Wiggle waggle,'" all move their thumbs from side to side while the hand rests in position (Fig. 564)—dotted lines show the swing of the thumb. If any neglect to do so it counts one against him; next comes the order "Stop"; the thumbs continuing to wag, the leader calls "Simon says 'Thumbs stop.'" The leader may command a change in the position and movement of the hand and thumb according to his fancy, but the hand cannot be unclasped nor the thumb folded down during the game. Three failures count the player out, and he must then content himself with watching the others until the play ends. The leader, being privileged, follows all directions in order to confuse the others. The game is short, consisting of ten commands from the leader. It may be played with sides, the group dividing into two parties; the young people at one end of the wagon form one side, while those at the other end constitute the other side. The party losing fewest players wins the game.

Another interesting amusement, easily played as the wagon rolls along, is the

If more diversions are needed during the drive, try the following

When the picnic grounds are reached and all have had time to look about, everyone will be ready for exercise. So prepare for a grand rush after one of the group chosen as

After resting from this game bring the rope from its hiding-place in the wagon, also the long board stowed away flat against the side of the vehicle, and in less time than you imagine the rope can be securely fastened on a strong branch of a tree to serve as

If the players are of unequal weight, the heavier one shortens his half of the plank by shoving it along farther across the fence or log, preserving in this way the equilibrium. To start the "Teeter-tarter" one of the players should give a slight spring upward with the feet while retaining his sitting posture on the board.

Prepare

The lunch should have been packed in paper boxes, to avoid the care of baskets. In the first box might be the loaves of fresh uncut bread and a tin baking-powder can of sweet butter, the bread to be cut into thin slices, buttered and prepared for sandwiches of various kinds. These can be easily made by adding either the chopped nuts that have been packed in a separate small box, or crisp lettuce leaves which have been detached from the stalk, well cleaned and sprinkled with fresh water, then carefully placed by themselves in a box lined with waxed or oiled paper such as is used by confectioners for sweetmeats. Or the sandwiches may be of sliced ham, tongue, roast-beef or lamb, each kind of meat being folded in waxed paper and packed in its own box. When the different articles of food are managed in this way they are much more attractive and palatable, each retaining its own flavor, and there is no danger of their being mashed and jumbled together, as happens too often when the dinner is indifferently arranged and put together in a thoughtless manner.

The best way to carry salt, pepper, etc., is to put each into a small paper box, the salt in one of cylindrical form, the lid of which has previously been punched full of holes with the aid of a tack or a slender wire nail (Fig. 565). The pepper can be in a smaller and differently shaped box, and sugar in a box of still another size and shape, that there may be no chance of mistaking one for the other and covering the meat with sugar or trying to sweeten the lemonade with salt. The perforations in the lid of the pepper-box must be quite small; punch them with a large-sized needle. After the boxes are filled the lids can be fastened securely with strong paste and, before they are packed, may have paper tied down over the tops (Fig. 566), to preclude all chance of the contents sprinkling out during the journey.

If mustard is needed, it should be prepared at home and carried in a small, wide-mouthed bottle. Mayonnaise dressing is best conveyed corked up in a small stone china jar, such as is often used for jam.

Boiled, fried, or broiled chicken is always acceptable at a picnic dinner; the chicken must be well cooked, cut into pieces and each portion wrapped in a separate piece of waxed paper, then packed together in a box. Cold-boiled asparagus or string beans, with fresh lettuce and mayonnaise dressing, may take the place of a meat salad if desired.

Fruit is very refreshing and always welcome if consisting of fresh berries, cherries, etc.; pack it in the same manner as lettuce, omitting the sprinkling and washing.

Of course, young people do not care for coffee, but the grown ones would like it, and they must be remembered. Grind the coffee and mix with raw egg; it may then be carried in the tin coffee-pot, the coffee to be made after the grounds are reached. If cake is taken, do not let it be rich; sponge or plain cup-cake, made in layers with apple-sauce between, is best.

As far as possible have the table equipment of paper, that it may not be necessary to carry it back home. A tablecloth composed of large sheets of smooth white wrapping-paper will answer the purpose very well. Paper plates such as are used by bakers, make excellent substitutes for china ones and are the very thing for outing parties. Spoons may be home-made, whittled of wood; should the bowls of the spoons prove too difficult to manage, make them like small shovels (Fig. 567). If time will not allow of this, flat, smooth sticks larger at one end than the other (Fig. 568) may take their place. Knives are not absolutely necessary. Only one need be taken, but that must be of good size and sharp, to be used for cutting bread. It is a mistake to carry fine table linen or silver, they always prove a great care and are apt to be injured or lost, but not being skilled in the art of eating with chopsticks, like the Chinese, you will have to be supplied with forks. Take barely enough for the purpose and have them of the most inexpensive quality; then it will not matter if one or two happen to be lost. Only a few cups will be required and no saucers; the company can take turns using the cups. One item more—a pail for the water.

A small

After luncheon gather all the boxes and paper and burn them in the camp-fire, being careful not to put too much on the fire at a time and waiting until one portion is burned before adding more. The paper should be rolled in small, tight balls to prevent a possible breeze from wafting it in the air.

All can join in feeding the fire and enjoy

A short, quiet time with jack-stones, played with small stones found on the ground, will allow of sufficient rest before participating in the exhilarating sport of

Only a short while will remain before it will be time for returning home, a few moments more for tumbling about close to Nature; then comes the ride back home in the big wagon filled with gay and happy girls and boys.