Page 203 - The Lost Ways

In the summer, north-facing slopes retain patches of snow. In the winter, plants on the
south-facing slopes are the first to lose snow. The ground will also have a shallower depth
of snow than its counterpart in the other direction.

Making a Compass

Materials:

❖ Metal sewing needle
❖ Cork or plastic bottle cap
❖ Bar magnet or ref magnet
❖ Sticky tack
❖ Shallow dish of water
❖ Sharp knife or scissors
❖ Towel (optional)

Procedure:

❖ Cut a circle approximately ¼ inch or 5–10mm thick from the end of a cork with
scissors or a knife. You can also use an upturned plastic bottle cap.
❖ Place the product on one side.

❖ Magnetize the needle by rubbing it on the magnet from the tip to the bottom 50
times. If the magnet has its north pole labeled, then stroke the needle with this
end. Remember to lift the magnet from the needle after each stroke to reduce the
chance of demagnetizing the needle as you return it back to the bottom.
❖ Stick the magnetized needle to the circle of cork with some tack. Alternatively, you
can let the needle go through the cork.
❖ Float the cork in a dish of water.
❖ Keep the dish away from computers and other devices that contain magnets.
❖ Once it stops moving, the tip of the needle should be pointing due north and the
tail pointing due south.

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