A pole barn is basically a barn that is built using poles and does not need exterior walls. These kinds of barns are built mostly in North America and the shape of these barns is generally rectangular. The poles used to hold the roof up also acts as the barrier. Poles barns are used either as livestock shelter or a storage place for hay. These kinds of barns are built because they are very economical and can store materials like hay in large amounts.

Building a barn is easy if you plan properly and remember to be careful while using the tools.

As it is with the case all buildings you must have a plan with measurements. This will help you decide how many poles you will need and how far apart to place them. The maximum distance between two poles should be ten inches and in case you are using metal poles, you will have to reduce the distance between two poles.

Digging holes at places where you want the poles is the next step. The depth of the holes depends on the type of soil present. The usual depth is around 18 inches, but you will have to make it deeper if the soil is wet. This is to provide stability for the poles. It is however advised that you build the barn on dry land. After digging the holes, place the poles in them and use concrete to secure them. Building a basement along with your pole barn is not advised as it can affect the stability by removing some of the soil needed.

You can start adding other materials making sure that they are trussed. The reason behind trussing them is to provide a horizontal hold that is stable. Trussing should be done irrespective of what material you use and if you do not do it properly, the structure will not be stable.

Laying the roof is the last step, you can use either wood or metal. If you don’t want your roof to wear off quickly then don’t place them too high. Now you have a pole barn that is ready for use.

Igloo is a house built from compacted snow and has a dome structure. These structures were built to provide shelter from the cold. The type of snow used to build an igloo should hard enough for snow blocks. The igloo provides better protection from the cold than a tent. This kind of structure was originally built by people living near the artic circle especially in Greenland, Alaska, and Canada.

Steps involved in constructing an igloo

The first thing is to prepare the snow blocks. For this you would need either a large knife or a snow saw. The length of the blocks should be around one meter long, with the width and height around 20 centimeter and 40 centimeter respectively. Place the snow blocks in such a way they form a spiral structure, which will help you form the dome. This structure should be around the place from where you cut the snow blocks from. Continue placing the blocks making sure that they curve inwards.

Make a hole under the wall. This will serve both as an entrance and a cold sink. Some of the blocks can be placed horizontally to form a sleeping platform. When it comes to placing the last block on the top, make sure it is bigger than the hole. This block should be cut and shaped from the inside, so that you get a perfect fit.

Use an ice axe to make some ventilation holes. The reason behind this is to prevent the build up of carbon monoxide, which is dangerous. The igloo provides warmth by trapping the hot air generated by your body and it forces the cold air out through the cold sink. In case you are planning to use a stove, make sure that there is some proper ventilation. This is to prevent carbon monoxide from building up in the igloo.

Place some blocks over the entrance so that it is not blocked by snow. Now your igloo is ready for occupation.

You can find roller coasters in theme and amusement parks. Ever imagined building one yourself? It is possible to build a model with the right plan and the correct materials. Having the right plan is very important as it will show the feasibility of the model. Using the correct material is also very important. Remember that building a roller coaster will take time, even models. Building a roller coaster can help people understand physics. It can also be a good project for your science class.

The first thing is to draw a model using correct measurements at it helps in deciding how much of each material will needed. The measurements will also help in deciding if the design can be converted into a model.

Things needed to build a model roller coaster

• Some screws, nails or glue

• A base

• Tracks

• Some paint

• Pieces of Scenery

• Some marbles or a toy car

Steps involved in building a Roller Coaster

Preparing the base is the first part. Wooden piece of the right size can be used to make the base. Paint the base showing the details like where you want things to be placed. This important as once you finished the model, you may find some difficulty in adding the details.

Now that the base is ready, the next thing is to do is place the tracks. It would be a good idea to make the tracks before placing them. This is where the plan will come in handy. It will help you decide what kind of tracks to make and how many of each kind. The tracks can be made using materials like metal or clay. Take time in making these tracks as they should not fall apart during the later stage.

When placing the tracks it is wise to start at the bottom track and work you way up. Using glue to paste the tracks is a very good idea, but be careful while using the glue. A large amount of patience is required during this time as this can be frustrating. Once the tracks have been placed, you can then add the cars or any round object like a marble. You can also design your own cars. After adding the cars, you can start placing the scenery like benches and trees.

Once all of this is done, you will have a working model of a roller coaster. If the design is excellent and feasible, you just might be able to sell it to a theme or amusement park.

The bow and arrow has been used by mankind through out the ages, both for fighting and hunting. Even though they are not used nowadays, they still continue to fascinate people. Making a bow and arrow may appear to be simple, but it is not. The first thing is that it takes time, so you should have lots of patience. If done hastily or carelessly, it will not work properly.

The types of wood that you can use to make bows are hazel, hickory, and yew. Many however consider yew to be the best.

Steps to make a bow

Type of wood to be used

Choosing the type of wood is subject to availability. The wood should be around five or six feet in length and one inch in diameter. Make sure that the wood is flexible.

Carving of the bow

The bow should be carved such that the ends are flexible and narrow, while the centre is thick. The bow should be whittled from top to bottom.

Cutting notches on both ends

Cut outward facing notches around one or two inches from both ends of the bow. The depth of each notch should be half the bow’s diameter and the angle with respect to the bow should be 90 degrees.

Attaching the bowstring

There are many types of strings you can use like cotton strands, vines, and rawhide. You should choose a string that is not stretchable and remember that the shorter the string, the more power the bow will have. Tie the string to one notch. Hold that end down with your foot and bend the bow ensuring that there is a curve. Then tie the string to the other notch.

Keep in mind that the strength of a bow depends on the type of wood and string used.

Steps to make the arrow

Choosing the type of wood

The type of wood used to make arrows is either elm or black locust. The length should be around half the bow’s length, while the diameter should be around half an inch.

Shaping the arrow and cutting notches

The wood should be whittled and notched only at the end that comes in contact with the string.

The arrow tip

Now make curve the other end such that it pointed. Based on the availability of materials, you can also attach arrowheads made from glass, stone, or other materials to this end. Adding some feathers to the back of an arrow will provide it more balance as well as accuracy.

Follow these steps and you will soon be the proud owner of a hand made bow and arrow.

Chicken is used to make dishes like casseroles, sandwiches, soups, salads, and stews. Chicken can be cooked in many ways like deep frying, boiling, and grilling, but baking chicken is a healthy way. It is best not to remove the skin from the chicken as the meat will dry up otherwise. The following is a recipe that involves baking chicken.

Ingredients required

• Chicken weighing anywhere between two and a half pounds to three and a half pounds

• Olive oil

• Freshly ground black pepper

• Salt

• Marinade (optional)

Equipment used

• Oven (The oven should be pre-heated to around 350° Fahrenheit)

• Chef’s knife

• Meat thermometer

• An oven-proof skillet or a roasting pan

Baking the Chicken whole

If you intend to bake the chicken whole, remove the giblets and then rinse the chicken in cool water. Use Paper towels to dry it. Season the chicken using black pepper and salt and in case the chicken is whole do it both on the inside as well as outside. Place the chicken in either an oven-proof skillet or a roasting pan. Rub the chicken with olive oil or just pour some marinade over it.

Place the chicken in the oven without covering it. The baking time should be at least sixty to ninety minutes or until the color of the skin turns golden brown and the meat has been thoroughly cooked.

Ways to ensure that chicken is cooked

1. The first way is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The thermometer has to be inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. The temperature should be around 170 degrees for the breasts and 180 degrees for the thighs.

2. The second way is to cut the thigh at the deepest point using a chef’s knife. If the juices flow clear and the pinkish color of meat is gone, then the chicken is done.

Now that the chicken is done, wait for ten minutes before carving it. You can always experiment using different types of seasoning, to obtain different tastes. The different types of seasoning that can be used are tarragon, thyme, rosemary, oregano and many more.

A business letter is a formal means of communication between two people or two companies. Since it is an official way of communication, strict rules of composition need to be followed.

First of all, a business letter has to be clear and concise so that each and every part of the letter is understood by the reader. Secondly, a courteous tone needs to be applied.

Always keep in mind that business letter is supposed to be formal and not conversational. Readers will notice grammatical and spelling mistakes so make sure the letter is grammatically correct as well. Lastly, official letters shouldn’t be written by hand unless explicitly required.

Write the heading

The heading should consist of your name along with your address. You can either type this or have a letterhead designed just for this purpose.

Name

Address 1

Address 2

Phone no.:

Cell no.:

E-mail:

Web page:

Date

The date should come below your name and address. The date is important for legal purposes. You should write the date clearly, don’t just write in numbers.

Heading

Date

Write details of the person you are addressing

Write the name of the person along with his designation and address. Make sure you have got the spelling and designation correct. The address should also be correct.

Name

Designation

Address 1

Address 2

Address the person

Use Dear name if you are addressing one person. In case you are writing the same letter to different people you can use Dear Sir/Madam,

Write the body of the letter

This is part of the letter where you write the purpose of the letter. This can be anything from informing to addressing business issues. You should be courteous, but at the same time be clear and concise. The main purpose of the letter is to convey the message across properly. You need not write a whole page to do this.

Signing of the letter

You can sign off letter using either “Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully” depending on how formal the letter is. In case the body of your letter is not very formal, you can sign off using Regards or Kind regards. After this you should leave space for your signature followed by your name.

Below is a simple format that can used to write a business letter.

1. Heading

(Name

Address 1

Address 2

Phone no.:

Cell no.:

E-mail:

Web page:)

2. Date

(Date: Day Month Year)

3. Details of person whom we address

(Name

Designation

Address 1

Address 2)

4. Addressing the person

(Dear Sir/Madam,)

5. Body of the letter

6. Signing of the letter

(Thanking you,

“Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully”

Your name

Designation)

a2z

Planning

Decide where you want your pergola to be located and what design you want. This is the most important part of building a pergola. You can build your pergola either on floor or directly on the ground. In case you are building the pergola directly on the ground, you should make the posts longer.

Fixing the posts (Use 4 X 4 sized posts)

If you are fixing the posts on a surface other than the ground, you should use post-base anchors. Once you have fixed the post base anchors, secure the posts such that they stay plumb.

In case you are fixing the posts directly on the ground you will need some concrete to keep the posts plumb. Before you start digging holes, make sure there are no underground gas lines or electric cables. You can use either a power auger or posthole digger. The depth of the hole should be around two feet or more and the diameter around one foot. Place your two foot long forming tube into the hole in such a way that it is level with the surrounding ground. Place the post and fill the tube with concrete. You will have to make sure that the post is plumb and properly aligned. Once this is done, leave it alone till the concrete hardens and then proceed to add the columns.

Fastening the columns (Only if part of the design)

Place the hollow columns upside down over the posts. This will enable you to measure the height of the columns. If the height is above the required level, cut the extra part using a jigsaw. Once the columns are of the right height, attach 1 X 4 shims to the 4 X 4 posts. Attach the shims on all four sides of the post and plug the top of the hollow columns using wooden plugs. Use industry adhesives when placing the plugs. Now fix the columns properly and make sure they are secure.

Fixing the beams

Place the main beams over the columns and attach them to the wooden plugs using angle brackets. The next step is to attach the ledger strips, which are used to support the rafters. Now place the rafters and secure them properly.

Cutting the rafter tails

Cut the rafter tails ensuring that they are all of the same size and shape. The rafter tails can vary according to the pergola design.

Fixing the rafter tails and lattice

Fix the rafter tails and secure them properly. Once the rafter tails are fixed, you can attach the lattice and attend to the finishing touches.

Follow the above steps and you will have a pergola you can be proud of.

Use Green Materials

Many people are not aware of the fact that green materials are abundant and it is quite easy to adapt them for use. There is only a meagre cost difference for a green upgrade. Some common materials that are highly environment friendly are bamboo, fabrics made from cotton and jute, aluminum, and a wide range of products made from agricultural raw materials. Besides these, recycled plastic, paper and rubber are also important green materials.

Save on Shipping

Displays, banners, boards etc made from aluminum, bamboo and other agriculture fibers are simple and lightweight. These can be easily dismantled and folded into compact packages. These will considerably bring down costs for shipping and save fuel.

Green Giveaways

Green giveaways like mugs and cups, fabric bags, solar powered gadgets, recycled stationery and paper products are a unique way to promote your brand while establishing your commitment to the environment

There is no way like the green way!

Going green has a lot of benefits. It protects the health of people involved both employees and visitors. Prospective customers may be impressed with your efforts to save the environment. Above all going green protects the planet.

Cantaloupe, also called muskmelon, is a warm season plant native to India and Africa. It is a delicious fleshy fruit rich in dietary fiber, niacin, potassium and vitamin B6. Cantaloupe requires a long warm and humid growing period, so when grown in more moderate climate, it should be at first planted indoors and then transplanted outdoors.

Cantaloupe will thrive the most in soil with very good drainage. Therefore, it is recommended to use raised beds at least 5 feet wide so the water can drain away easily or raised hills spaced at least 4 feet apart. Before sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings, make sure you add plenty of organic matter as it encourages cantaloupe growth. Keep in mind that cantaloupe requires a lot of space so allow enough of space between the hills or beds.

Steps involved in growing cantaloupe

Check your climate

Sow seeds directly into the prepared soil if you live in a warm climate, but wait until the last frost has passed. You can sow 3 seeds per hill about ½ inch deep or you can sow seeds in raised beds spacing them at least 5 feet apart.

If you live in a moderate climate, you should start the seeds indoors approximately 3 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost and transplant the seedlings outdoors around 3 weeks after the last frost, They should be planted into raised beds around 1 foot apart from each other. Cantaloupes require warm conditions, so if sowed in moderate climate, cover them with black plastic or mulch to raise the soil temperate.

Feeding and watering cantaloupe

Regular feeding in small quantities along with regular watering will encourage the proper growth of your cantaloupes especially during its growing phase. Make sure you do not over water your plants as it can cause fruit rot. Also the plants should be watered very moderately 3 weeks prior harvesting to encourage the rich and sweet flesh taste.

Harvesting cantaloupe

Cantaloupes are ready to be harvested when they turn gold or the stem connected to the fruit comes off easily. Simply wiggle and pull the stem.

Do not wash the cantaloupe’s rind unless you are ready to eat the fruit. When the cantaloupes are completely ripe, they can last up to 2 weeks in a refrigerator. In general, store them at cool and humid place which is protected from direct sunlight. In most cases cantaloupe is eaten as a fresh fruit but it can be used as a dessert served with ice cream or whipped cream.

Celery is one the most popular vegetables used in colder climate areas of the world. Being rich in low calorie dietary fiber it is often used in weight-loss diet. Celery might seem like an easy plant to grow, but the opposite is true. A lot of care and attention needs to be dedicated to this vegetable in order to achieve the positive results.

Steps involved in growing Celery

Selecting the site & Season

Since celery likes cool weather, avoid planting it when temperature is above 65°F. Celery strictly requires at least 4 months of relatively cold and cloudy growing period. The suitable soil for celery cultivation should be rich in compost, water retentive but still should have a proper drainage.

Sowing

Start growing celery by sowing seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks prior the last frost in spring. When seedlings have around 6 leaves, it should take around 6 weeks to reach this point, plant them outdoors. In the areas with cool spring and summer months, plant celery seedlings in early spring. In the areas with warm spring and summer, plant them in late summer to harvest the celery in late autumn or early winter.

When sowing seeds, put them ¼ to ½ inch deep in the soil and keep a 6 to 10 inches space between each of them. If sowing into rows, a gap of 24 inches should be left between each two rows. Seedlings should be transplanted into trenches around 4 inches deep and 8 inches apart. Do not forget to add quality compost to planting beds before you take celery outside.

Watering

Celery should be watered well and frequently during its whole growing period. Not enough of water will result in celery’s slow growth. Apart from feeding when planting the celery, compost should be added also at mid growing season every 2 to 3 weeks. Celery beds should be kept weed free all the time so the celery can get as much moisture and nutrients as possible. While getting rid of weed, make sure you do not damage celery roots.

Blanching

Blanch celery by covering the stalks with soil or paper cylinders. This helps stalks to produce chlorophyll so they can turn green. Blanching will result in loosing bitter flavor and obtaining sweet flavored and whiten stalks. Blanching should be carried out up to around 12 days before harvesting.

Harvesting

It takes about 110 to 130 days for celery to mature. Crop should be harvested before the first serious frost in fall. At this point, celery head is about three inches in diameter at its base and is about a foot high. Proper way to harvest celery heads is to cut them off right at the soil level. Wash the stalks thoroughly in cold water and let them dry.

Fresh celery can be stored in refrigerator for about two weeks. During this time, celery will blanch naturally. If you want to keep your celery for longer period of time, it should be dried or frozen. Celery seeds and leaves can be used as a herb.