Products of Industry 



421 



bark. With some varieties of trees and shrubs it is found best to 

 place the sections in the sun to dry, then a sharp bend in the stalk 

 causes the bark to separate from the wood so that it is easily peeled 

 off. 



When large trees are used, the bark is slit lengthwise every six of 

 eight inches, and the log is beaten with hard wood sticks. In a short 

 time the covering loosens from the wood and is pulled off. The out- 

 side layer is worthless, but the remainder is cut into strips about a 

 half inch in width, and is then split lengthwise into thin layers. 



In rope-making three strips are laid side by side on the thigh or 

 on a board, but with their ends at unequal distances (Fig. 17, No. 1). 

 These are twisted together, toward the right, until a few inches have 

 been turned, then the cord is put over one end of a double forked 

 stick (sikwan) , leaving an equal length on either side (Fig. 17, No. 3). 

 The two halves are twisted together until the end of one strip of bark 

 is reached; a new piece is laid on top of the others, and as they are 

 turned, it becomes part of the twist. As other ends are met with, new 

 strips are added in a like manner until all the bast desired has been 

 made. It is then wound up on the forked stick until needed. 



Fig. 17. 

 Rope-Making appliances. 



The rope machine (agtatalian) consists of three wooden whirls, 



which constitute the forming device, and a single whirl for the traveler, 



while a grooved block serves to keep the strands apart (Fig. 17, No. 2). 



Three equal lengths of the prepared bast are measured, and an end is 



attached to each of the whirls of the forming machine (Fig. 17, 



No. 2 a). However, only one cut is made in the bast, for strand 3. 



