Have you ever heard it said: "Confusion comes in small packages"? Well, you have now. This small piece of black painted cast iron with the pivoting, wiggly and "S"-shaped configuration is the epitome of such a statement. 

It measures a mere 4½" in length and solves many a housewife’s nagging backyard complaint. Apologize for the lack of foreground detail, but both ends have guided groove channeled ends. The piece looks like two whales in heat.

Seven possibilities and your mission is to "Guess Which" on the path to "Guess What." Keep the number handy and match it to next month’s correct answer.*

Last Months 'Guess What'

 
A few misleading attempts to help you solve the puzzle:

1) In-ground earthworm attracter 2) Japanese beetle and gypsy moth trap hanger 3) Wasp warning device (when electrified) 4) Poison mole bait capsule dispeller 5) Firefly harvesting hardware 6) Bat sonar flight disrupter (7) Anti-rabbit and deer scent dispenser triggering system.

As planned, we hope confusion reigns—until the solution next month. A subscripton will guarantee next month’s answer.

    Answer to May’s Guess What..?

Discerning readers who like research could have solved last month’s poser by going to the library and looking up the patent date (July 1,1902)—or if you’re intuitive about symbols or designs, the pigeon in flight on the cover should have been an easy clue to the answer. 


What we presented was a two-pigeon racing timer. A capsule would be attached to the leg, the birds driven many miles from the home roost and released. As they returned, the capsule detached and inserted into the exterior slot would freeze the stop watch and determine the winner on a time-elapsed basis. The box would be locked to prevent tampering. This example was manufactured in South Bend, Indiana, unusual since most pigeon timers generally come from Germany and France.

*Available for acquisition